Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
Your child’s primary (baby) teeth, believe it or not, play a significant role in their growth and development. From helping your child speak, chew properly, and build confidence, baby teeth matter. Plus, baby teeth maintain the proper spacing and aid in the development and alignment of your child’s permanent teeth that are soon to erupt.
Prevention is the single most important action a parent can take to help prevent their child from getting cavities. However, did you know that a baby can begin developing cavities as soon as their first tooth erupts? Oral hygiene should be part of your child’s daily routine to maintain healthy teeth, beginning in infancy. Here are some helpful oral hygiene tips that you can practice with your child at home.
Even before your baby’s first tooth erupts, get in the habit of gently wiping his or her gums after every feeding by using a damp washcloth. Most babies get their first tooth between four and six months of age. As soon as your baby gets a tooth, start simple tooth brushing techniques by brushing twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste.
Avoid letting your baby or toddler drink juice throughout the day from a bottle or sippy cup. Only fill it with breast milk, formula, milk, or water (whichever is age appropriate). Although it is perfectly safe for your child to drink these nourishing beverages, be sure not to allow your child to go to sleep drinking anything other than water. Even milk and breast milk contain sugar, which means your child’s teeth will constantly be coated with sugar, which inevitably leads to tooth decay.
At Hartrick Dentistry, we support the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in that children should begin routine dental visits by the time their first tooth erupts, or by age one. To schedule your child’s appointment, contact Hartrick Dentistry today. We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan.