As a parent, you want your child’s oral health to be in tip-top shape, as its key to their overall health. As soon as your baby’s first tooth grows, you have to take him or her to the dentist right away. Typically, a child’s first tooth grows right before or after 12 months of age.

After the growth of their first few teeth, there will be regular check-ups with your child’s pediatrician and family dentist, which is important to determine how you will keep their oral health in top condition. Adopting healthy dental practices is imperative to ensure that tooth decay is prevented, as it can happen as early as when the first tooth grows.

Your child’s dentist will show you the ropes on how to maintain your baby’s dental condition by giving you tips on cleaning their teeth, telling you which kind of toothpaste should be used, and most importantly, guiding you through a child’s proper eating habits and what kind of food you should feed them.

Visit your child’s dentist within the first year

According to the Canadian Dental Association, or CDA, it is best to visit a dentist within the first 12 months to have your child’s dental health checked. Delaying this can lead to serious decay. The longer you delay it, the severe the cavities will get, which can damage your baby’s teeth even before they get to their pre-teens.

Your baby can also experience toothaches and suffer from infections as a result of leaving cavities untreated. Not only will this be obviously deterring dental health, but it can also affect your child’s well-being due to sleep deprivation, poor intake of nutrition, and behavioural factors. In the long run, it can also be destructive to your child’s self-esteem and their ability to perceive new knowledge, negatively impacting their cognition.

How to prevent early childhood tooth decay

Take precautionary measures and protect your child from tooth decay. It’s ideal to maintain a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle, especially when it comes to diet during pregnancy, as baby teeth begin to develop as early as the first trimester.

It’s also ideal to opt for breastfeeding as much as possible, as nutrition is an important factor in keeping your baby’s dental health in great condition. When putting your infant to bed, don’t give them a sippy cup of milk and instead just stick with water.

You may also want to lessen the chances of tooth decay by establishing oral hygiene early. Wipe your baby’s mouth with a damp washcloth after every meal, and when the first tooth grows, you can then start using a toothbrush.

Limit any sweet drinks like juices or chocolate drinks. Please don’t give them sodas or any caffeinated drinks, which aren’t only bad for their health, but also for their teeth. Most importantly, a healthy diet should strictly be implemented to ensure that your infant’s teeth will grow healthily when the time comes.

Conclusion

Dental health should be strictly monitored even before the first tooth grows. You don’t have to wait until your child has a whole set of teeth before taking them to the dentist. It’s important to start incorporating hygienic oral practices so that your child will get used to it as early on. Also, always check in with your family dentist.

Looking for a family dentist? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’re a local dental clinic in Edmonton, and we believe that children need the best dental care while growing up. Get in touch with today!

Posted in Dental News & Advice