A baby is a little bundle of joy, and one of the happy moments for a parent is seeing their baby’s teeth coming in. The dental care a baby is provided with can shape its dental health in adulthood. And this begs the question; when is the appropriate time to have your baby first checked by a pediatric dentist Phoenix?
According to dental health experts, they are ready for a dental visit as soon as their first tooth comes in, which is generally before their first birthday. If you’re planning to take your baby for a dental check-up, you can visit All Brite Dental. Check out their Dearborn City resource links for more information.
Critical Information That Dentists Provide About Babies’ Dental Health
By taking your baby to a dentist, you are equipped with critical knowledge on caring for their teeth. Some of the important information includes:
1. Major Cause of Tooth Decay in Babies
When a baby’s teeth erupt, they are tiny valuable pearls. However, there’s one thing that is notorious for causing those delicate teeth to decay: baby bottles. Whether you give your baby a bottle when cradling it, or you use the bottle as a pacifier, the bottle might contain certain compounds that cause tooth decay. Ensure that the bottle is always super-clean.
2. Proper Feeding Practices
Nutrition is a critical aspect of a baby’s health. Taking your baby to a dentist enables you to become aware of essential feeding practices. Babies are typically fed on cue. Ensure that you provide quality nutrition and establish consistent patterns.
3. Critical Mouth Cleaning Practices
Your baby’s mouth may look dainty and precious, but it needs to be cleaned regularly to eliminate food residues and prevent bacteria build-up. A baby’s gum and tongue may be cleaned with a damp cloth, but once the teeth erupt, they may be cleaned with a baby toothbrush.
4. Teething Tips
Teething is the development where a baby’s teeth come in. Babies experience teething between 6 and 24 months. This is typically a sensitive period for the baby. Some of the tips for handling the teething stage include massaging your baby’s gums and soothing their discomfort.
5. Pacifier Tips
Babies can be restless and irritable, especially during the teething stage. But pacifiers help with managing their distress. Before giving your baby a pacifier, change their position first or rock them to see if it is any help. Also, ensure that the pacifier is clean, safe, and not coated with sugar.
How to Prepare When Taking Your Baby to the Dentist For the First Time
For babies, having to encounter a dentist can be a frightening moment. You need to prepare in advance to ensure that their dental check-up goes well.
- Plan for early dental check-ups: it’s important to take your baby to the dentist as early as possible. This enables them to develop an early familiarity with dentists and it also allows for early detection of any dental problems afflicting their jaws or teeth.
- Observe patience: there are various habits that your baby might be slow to pick up, and so, you need to be patient with them. For instance, if you’re trying to get them to cooperate for mouth cleaning, incorporate simple and fun tactics.
- Develop a good attitude toward dental visits: your baby can easily read your attitude about different things. And so, when it comes to their first dental visit, ensure that you have a great attitude.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pediatric Dentist
Giving your baby quality dental health in its early years increases its odds of having excellent dental health in adulthood. And so, you need to exercise caution when choosing a dental specialist for your baby.
For one, they need to have special training in kids’ oral health. Babies are sensitive, and dental doctors need to not only have the expertise, but also be able to establish comfort, and foster a positive attitude in the baby.
Pediatric dentist in pearl city typically work on the environment of their practice to ensure that it is welcoming. The last thing they want is to make children uncomfortable or frightened. They usually make their offices bright and colorful with cartoon-inspired pictures to ease your baby’s mind.
For babies, their teeth are only starting to erupt, and it will be years before their true dental health is regarded. Pediatric dentists need to form a relationship with babies so that they can monitor their dental health. This is very important as far as preventing oral health disorders is concerned.
Pediatric dentists that handle children’s dental issues extremely well usually have a good reputation. If you’re looking to get your baby’s mouth examined by a new dental specialist, check to see their reputation first.