Early Infant Oral Care

Getting the first tooth is one of your child’s first big milestones, but it is often a difficult time for them and you. Teething is often an uncomfortable experience for your baby. Most often they are fussy, have a runny nose, and will chew on their toys in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

If you have questions about your child’s teething, you’ve come to the right place. Caring for your child is not a difficult time and we will gladly show you a few simple techniques.

Chewing rings are the perfect item to provide for your child and can be found in the infant’s section of most stores. You will also be able to find topical ointment that can be used to minimize pain and discomfort.

The front incisors cause the most discomfort and are the first teeth to develop and even though children will develop other teeth they are far less painful than those first teeth. We have created the following chart to help you know what to expect as your children’s teeth develop.

  • Central incisors: 6–12 months
  • Lateral incisors: 9–16 months
  • First molars: 13–19 months
  • Canine teeth: 16–23 months
  • Second molars: 22–33 months

The next milestone: Your child’s first dentist appointment

It is recommended that you make this appointment between the ages of three and four. By that time, they will have developed all of their primary teeth.

We’ll check the development of their teeth and teach them the latest brushing and flossing techniques. Our goal is for brushing and flossing to become second nature. As a parent, this is beneficial for you as you won’t have to constantly remind them if they are prodigious brushers and they will have fewer cavities and complications.

It’s important to factor in your child’s diet as the primary cause of cavities at a young age as the primary teeth are more susceptible to damage due to their small size and temporary nature. Preventing cavities and crowns means limiting the sugar intake to preserve their teeth as much as possible until their adult teeth develop.

Eliminate thumb sucking

Besides teething, the most common challenge parents face with toddlers and young children face is prolonged use of thumb sucking or binkie use. While this behavior is normally harmless in the first few months of life, it leads to complications when the primary teeth develop. Thumb-sucking has been linked to an increased risk of cavities. If your child is refusing to stop using their binkie or sucking on their thumb, Dr. Amy Kinlaw Pediatric Dentistry provides specialized mouth guards that will stop that habit fast.

Your first choice for pediatric dentistry

Our mission is to provide the very best in dental care for your child and deliver the care that they need. Our offices can provide the following services:

  • Minor dental trauma
  • Composite fillings
  • Crowns
  • Habit (thumb sucking) appliances
  • Nitrous oxide administration
  • Oral sedation
  • Baby root canals
  • Extractions

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