Your baby's first visit to our office should be between 1-2 years of age when the teeth start to erupt. This first appointment will serve to check that the teeth and supporting structures are developing normally as well as to familiarize your child with the dental office and procedures. Often we recommend that this appointment be done with the baby/toddler sitting on mommy or daddy's lap. Using child-friendly language and interactive play, we will thoroughly examine your child's mouth while keeping the appointment short and entertaining.
We encourage that you help to prepare your child for the visit by talking to them about things that may happen at their appointment using non-technical language (e.g. counting their teeth, taking pictures of their teeth, shining their teeth). Do not impose any negative experiences or dental anxiety on your child as this may make their visit less pleasant.
Your little one's trust is valuable.We will always let them know what to expect and use age-appropriate terminology to explain things. We will make certain they are comfortable and do all that we can to make their first experience a positive one.
1) Never put a baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. When teeth are exposed to sugars in these liquids for prolonged periods, it can lead to "baby bottle decay", an aggressive and potentially painful form of decay in infants/toddlers.
2) Following feedings, use a clean, damp washcloth to wipe baby's gums to keep them clean. This will provide some comfort to baby while teething and also prepare them to let you help in establishing an oral hygiene routine.
3) Do not use fluoridated toothpaste until your child is able to spit (brushing with plain water will suffice). Once they have mastered spitting (usually around age 3-4), use less than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on an age-appropriate soft toothbrush.
4) Begin flossing your child's teeth once they are touching.
5) Always help your young child with their oral hygiene. This ensures that it is done well and helps you to catch any problems early on.
6) Sucking is a natural habit for babies and common for toddlers. However, it is best that your child stop their sucking habit before the permanent teeth come in as it may adversely affect the growth of the jaw and position of the teeth.
7) Practice smart snacking. Limit sugary foods and drinks. When snacking in between meals, try to choose foods such as cheese, yogurt, and vegetables.
8) Wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth when playing sports.
9) Brush at least twice a day and floss once per day, change your toothbrush every 3 months or after an illness.
1. Toothache - rinse the mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress if there is swelling. Call the dentist immediately.
2. Broken tooth - rinse dirt from mouth with warm water, if possible. Find and save any pieces of broken tooth. Take the child to a dentist immediately.
3. Knocked out baby tooth - Take the child and the tooth to a dentist immediately. The tooth will NOT be put back in.
4. Knocked out permanent tooth - Try to pick the tooth up carefully by the crown and gently rinse it with water or milk. If possible, gently try to place the tooth back in its socket and get to a dentist as soon as possible. If the tooth can't be replaced, place it in a container of cold milk or water and take the child to a dentist immediately.
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