Here are some tips on good oral care for your child from the American Dental Association, plus the scoop on thumbsucking and teething. Post these on your refrigerator or in a handy place so your family and babysitters can also see them.
· Never allow a baby or toddler to fall asleep with a bottle that contains milk, formula, fruit juices, sweetened liquids or a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey.
· Even diluted sweet drinks can be damaging. Infants should finish their bedtime or naptime bottle (or breastfeeding) before going to bed.
· Wipe the baby’s gums with a wet gauze pad or with a washcloth or towel after each feeding.
· Begin brushing your child’s teeth with water as soon as the first tooth appears.
· To reduce the chances of tooth decay, children should be encouraged to drink from a cup by their first birthday.
· Your child’s first dental visit should occur within six months of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than the baby’s first birthday.
· Aggressive thumbsucking may cause problems with children’s primary (baby) teeth, so please mention to me on your next visit if your child has this habit. I can check his or her mouth for any changes and give you techniques to help curb thumbsucking.
· As baby teeth erupt, your child may become fussy, sleepless or irritable. One way to comfort your baby is to gently massage the gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a clean, wet gauze pad, washcloth or towel.
We are here to answer your questions, so please feel free to call our office at 925.598.9825 to schedule your first “well-baby” dental check-up.
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