Keeping your Child's Teeth Healthy

[sherlyk]

When to Start Caring for a Child's Teeth


Proper dental care begins even before a baby's first tooth appears. Remember that just because you can't see the teeth doesn't mean they aren't there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.

Running a damp washcloth over your baby's gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child's toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.

Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits at home. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term — but it can harm the baby's teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby's teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth. Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in.

Parents and child care providers should also help young children develop set times for drinking during the day as well because sucking on a bottle throughout the day can be equally damaging to young teeth.

Pediatric Dentists

You may want to take your child to a dentist who specializes in treating kids. Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with kids' dental health. They also know when to refer you to a different type of specialist such as an orthodontist to correct an overbite or an oral surgeon for jaw realignment.


A pediatric dentist's primary goals are prevention, heading off potential oral health problems before they occur, and maintenance, ensuring through routine checkups and proper daily care that teeth and gums stay healthy.

[annie]

Thanks for sharing important tips.

[sherlyk]

Infant Teething

The process of infant teething is greatly influenced by heredity factors. The nature of the teething might be the same as that of the parents. Learn to identify the different signs which indicate the beginning of an infant teething,

Infant Teething Remedies

Give your baby something soft to put down his gums on. Chewing and gnawing provides the baby with counter pressure which would bring great relief from the pain. Wet washcloths or terrycloth toys fresh from the fridge or freezer, teething rings, rubber teething toys, parents fingers (if washed), etc., have been popular with all babies and toddlers. Providing the baby with a cold cup of water also helps, especially if he is drooling a lot and suffering from diarrhea. The idea of feeding your baby with cold food such as chilled applesauce, yogurt, etc., is also one of the well known remedies for managing the symptoms of infant teething. Read more on baby teething remedies.

You may also avail certain teething pain medications in order to manage the symptoms. However, get such medicines only after having been advised and prescribed by your baby's pediatrician. It is also advisable that even before you follow such infant teething remedies, which have been cited above, it would be wise on your part to exchange some professional and beneficial advices from a pediatrician. So, hold on to your little sweetheart until he/she outgrows the teething process and be ready to prepare some mouth watering delicious dishes for your new member at the dinner table!