Life is hectic for new moms and dads and some function on very little sleep for several months. At Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry in Lone Tree, we don’t want the first year to fly by in a blur without busy parents giving a thought to their baby’s teeth. Unfortunately “out of sight, out of mind” is often the case. It’s never too early for new parents to create a plan for their child’s lifelong oral health.
1. Before the first teeth appear, wash gums with a soft damp cloth or piece of gauze after feeding.
2. Prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Most new parents are cautioned from the beginning not to put babies to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. However, since baby-bottle cavities is still fairly common, this warning bears repetition. Baby bottle tooth decay is entirely preventable. If your baby will not sleep without a bottle, use only water.
3. Take your infant to the dentist early. That’s right—infant. Your child’s first dental exam should occur when the first teeth appear, usually between six months and one year of age.
4. When your baby’s first tooth peeks through, begin brushing gently with a small, soft toothbrush and a grain of rice sized dot of fluoride toothpaste. This assists in keeping that tooth decay-free while allowing your baby to get comfortable with regular oral hygiene.
5. From the ages of 3 to 6, the amount of toothpaste can increase to a pea-sized dab. Most children swallow instead of spitting. You don’t want your child to swallow more than a tiny smear of toothpaste.
6. Consider dental sealants. Sealants protect the teeth and prevent cavities by filling in the cracks and fissures where food particles can hide, breeding harmful bacteria that doesn’t take long to create cavities. Sealants are especially important in the back teeth which, due to the abundance of crevasses, are hardest to clean properly. During your child’s first check-up at our office, you can discuss sealants.
7. Talk to your dentist about pacifier use, thumb-sucking, or any other habits that affect teeth and jaw development.
8. Teach your toddler to drink from a cup as soon as possible. The fewer months your child uses a bottle, the better. Even if your child loves his bottle, you are going to have to take it away sooner or later.
Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry serves the Denver, Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree areas. We take pride in caring for our patients and we want them to have healthy, beautiful smiles. Our practice specializes in:
We hope to hear from you soon! Call us today for an appointment.
Contact Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry:
303-858-9000
Locations (Tap to open in Google Maps):
Almeida & Bell Dental – Lone Tree
8683 E Lincoln Ave Ste 200
Lone Tree, Colorado
80124
Almeida & Bell Dental – Denver
9126 57th Ave.
Denver, Colorado
80238