An infant dentist's job is to protect one of the most precious things to a parent, their baby's smile. A baby's smile, even without the first set of teeth is something that warms the heart of every parent. Unfortunately, tooth decay and other problems with infant's teeth can cause all kinds of problems. These problems include making the baby sick or even losing the baby teeth too soon, which can ultimately negatively impact the way the adult teeth will develop.
Any developmental issues with the adult teeth that are caused by baby teeth problems could result in speech development issues. Due to this, we advise parents to prepare for the arrival of teeth in their child's mouth and make sure to visit an infant children's dentist as soon as possible.
Getting ready for teeth
The time between the ages of zero to six months is a time during which parents will begin to prepare for teeth to come in. Baby teeth can arrive anywhere between three months and one year, while the average is around six months. Few parents realize the teeth actually form in utero. Thus, taking prenatal vitamins are important for a woman who is pregnant because they contain tooth-friendly minerals like phosphorus and calcium.
Taking vitamins properly will help with the development of baby's teeth. It is exciting for parents to see the first tooth erupt from a gum. While there may be many sleepless nights because of a cranky baby, as an infant dentist we know that nothing is quite as exciting for parents than seeing the appearance of that first tooth.
What to expect
Many parents, particularly first-time parents, do not know what to expect when the first teeth start to come in and can be slightly freaked out with the fever and the lump that will develop on the gum. There might be some discoloration on the infant's gum when the tooth is going to pop-up which is known as the interruption cyst.
This is perfectly normal and is not a cause for concern. Very soon a newly erupted tooth will emerge and your child will give you their first toothy grin. Sometimes an erupting tooth may be preceded by a bruise which will disappear when the new tooth emerges.
However, it is highly recommended that parents visit an infant dentist immediately before the first tooth erupts or immediately after. This allows the infant dentist to start to care for the child's teeth from a very young age and also to work proactively to prevent any conditions that may be developing.
What a parent should do
One of the most important habits a parent can develop is wiping the infant's gums with a finger brush, a piece of gauze or a clean washcloth. Before the tooth breaks through the surface, there may be a tiny opening in the gum itself.
The opening can lead to a cavity or decay because bacteria can hide in this opening. Once the little tooth comes out, it is critical to clean it with a washcloth or baby toothbrush moistened with water.
Visit an infant dentist
The first visit to the dentist should be within six months of the appearance of the first tooth, or before the child turns one year old, whichever is earlier. In order to schedule an appointment with an infant dentist for your child, give us a call today. We will get you in so that you can start to take the best possible care of your child's teeth.
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