Why Parents Should Be Concerned About Their Child's Baby Teeth

Dentist Blog

For a long time, parents were told not to take their children to the dentist until they had permanent teeth. However, dental science now shows that parents should be concerned about their child's baby teeth too. Read on and find out more.

General Health Benefits

Your child's development is already at full tilt by the time they are born, and it doesn't slow down for a long time. It only makes sense to take advantage of each moment by ensuring your baby's teeth are healthy. As your child graduates to solid food and gets their first teeth, their ability to eat can be seriously affected by cavities and dental infections.

You can also prevent crooked teeth and bite disorders by taking care of their baby teeth. Baby teeth set the stage by holding a place for the teeth that have not yet emerged. When a baby tooth is lost to decay, teeth can drift out of alignment. Other good reasons to attend to your child's baby teeth are:

  • Speech development is enhanced at an extremely critical time.
  • Protection of the permanent teeth waiting under the gums is assured.

What Parents Can Do

Form an early relationship with a dentist. Many parents opt to see a pediatric dentist. Whoever you choose, establish a relationship between your child and the dentist as early as age one. The dentist will examine your child's teeth and check for problems with their bite. If your city does not add fluoride to the water supply, treatments may be in order. Experts have cleared dental X-ray machines for use on children if the child is covered with a lead apron. New X-ray technology allows extremely precise scans in a lot less time. These digital images provide more detail and information to the dentist.

Follow these dental tips as well:

  • Avoid letting your child go to bed with a bottle of juice, milk, tea, etc.
  • Begin brushing and flossing as soon as their baby teeth arrive. Make it fun and keep it simple. Older children can participate in choosing a toothbrush.
  • For babies too young to brush, gently clean their gums with some soft gauze.
  • Keep in mind that pacifier use or thumb sucking may damage both baby teeth and permanent teeth and cause alignment issues.
  • Limit sugary snacks like candy, cookies, soft drinks, and more.

Make going to the dentist and taking care of teeth a positive, fun experience for your child. Speak to a local pediatric dentist's office such as Blooming Smiles to find out more.

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3 February 2023

Getting Your Toddler to the Dentist Once and For All

Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!