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When your baby first begins to smile, you will probably see an engaging toothless grin. However, within a few months, 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 child's life, you can establish a pattern to help ensure that your baby continues to have a healthy smile throughout his or her life. Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in. Remember, just because you cannot see the tooth doesn't mean that they are not there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. By practicing proper dental care immediately for your child, you will set up an appropriate dental regimen for his or her life into adulthood. How do I Begin Care for my Child's Teeth? When teeth aren't visibly present, gently wipe your baby's gums with a soft, wet cloth after each feeding. After baby teeth appear, start cleaning them with a soft, child-sized toothbrush twice a day. Running a damp washcloth over your baby's gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits at home. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term, but it can harm the baby's teeth immensely. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby's teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth, which is associated with pocketed, pitted or discolored front teeth. Parents and childcare providers should help young children develop set times for drinking during the day, as well, because drinking from a bottle throughout the day can be equally as damaging to young teeth. What can Negatively Affect My Child's Teeth? Certain oral health conditions that appear during your child's growth and development could be red flags for poor oral health. It is important to seek the advice of a dentist if you notice these warning signs.
• Nursing bottle Syndrome - results when a baby constantly takes in milk, formula, breast milk, fruit juice or sugar water.
• Decayed or missing baby teeth - Baby teeth serve as a pattern for the placement of permanent teeth. Decayed or missing baby teeth may result in crooked or misaligned permanent teeth.
• Thumb sucking and lip sucking - Thumb sucking is a normal and healthy activity that provides comfort and security for an infant. After permanent teeth have erupted, thumb sucking can create many problems.
• Tongue thrusting - This is a condition caused as a result of the chronic pressing of the tongue against the lips with force that can lead to the protrusion of teeth.
• Poor nutrition - Choose fruits and vegetables for snacks. Limit sugary, sticky foods such as raisins, granola bars, jelly beans and syrup. It is vital to maintain proper dental hygiene for your child from the day he or she is born because it will set the groundwork for appropriate oral health. Visit your child's dentist for more advice and for regular dental checkups. It is never too soon to protect your child's teeth.
Sean Hartmen writes for Drs. Hammond and Thompson, leading dentists in Memorial, Houston and Katy. Offering a wide range of services including implants and veneers, this cosmetic dentist in Memorial, Houston and Katy, is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of all ages. The dentistry also serves patients in Memorial and Katy in Texas.
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