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Your baby's endearing toothless grin can light up the world. Not long into the first year, you will notice a glimmer of something white, or you may hear a clunk when the feeding spoon touches the first tooth. By taking a few steps early in your baby's life, you can establish a pattern that will ensure your baby continues to have a healthy smile. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, but in most cases it is very preventable. Because children follow the habits and routines they learn during childhood, it is vital that parents instill good dental habits at an early age. With help from your child's Long Island pediatric dentist, you can ensure that your child remains healthy and continues to flash their endearing smile. Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child to the dentist before his or her first birthday. At your child's first dental visit, your dentist will: * Check your child's teeth for decay and signs of early developmental problems
* Explain how to care for your child's teeth
* Answer any questions or concerns you might have Cleaning a child's teeth should begin when the first tooth is visible because teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Wipe your baby's teeth and gums clean after every feeding with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad. A leading cause of tooth decay among young children is known as "baby bottle syndrome," which is when an infant is allowed to drink from a nursing bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice during nap time or at night and the baby falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth. Prolonged exposure to the sugars and acids in these liquids that pool around the teeth can cause discoloration and decay. Oral Hygiene Instructions and Diet Counseling Your child's pediatric dentist in Long Island will also help you establish proper oral hygiene and diet for your child. Your child's primary teeth are important because good, healthy teeth allow your child to eat and maintain good nutrition, making oral hygiene and diet essential for a healthy life. Additionally, healthy teeth allow for clear pronunciation and speech habits. Primary teeth also guide the eruption of your child's permanent teeth. For proper oral hygiene maintenance, your child's dentist may recommend: * Regular checkups beginning at age one
* Good nutrition
* Supervised tooth bushing
* Fluoride treatments
* Dental sealants The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. Increasing consumption of nutritional foods and reducing intake of less healthy foods can help minimize cavities and other dental problems. Most snacks that children eat can cause cavities, so children should only receive healthy foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt and cheeses to promote strong, healthy teeth. Caring for your child's teeth begins early and often. By doing so, you are setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy permanent teeth and overall dental health. Begin proper dental care for your child immediately and with the initial onset of your child's first tooth, visit your Long Island dentist for assessment. You can pave the way for a lifetime of proper dental health for your child.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Long Island pediatric dentist, Dr. David Choi. Working alongside Dr. Choi are Dr. Bo Yun and Dr. Sung Yun, orthodontists in Long Island. Together they provide orthodontic and pediatric care for patients in the Little Neck area.
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