Dental Care For Your Kid: Ages 0-6 Months

Posted on: 1 April 2015

When talking about dental care, few parents realize that this important aspect of their child's life begins before any actual teeth break through. While it is easy to understand that baby teeth need to be brushed and flossed in order to prevent decay, it's equally important to establish healthy dental routines before those baby teeth arrive.

Here are 3 easy things you can do while your child is 0 to 6 months old to improve your their dental health:

1. Wipe your baby's gums with gauze or a soft washcloth daily.

While bacteria rarely causes damage to the gums before baby teeth begin breaking through, it can be difficult to determine exactly when a new tooth is starting to break the surface. Most babies break their first tooth around 6 months of age, but some kids show their first tooth as early as 3 months.

To ensure that you are keeping your kid's mouth as clean as possible during the early stages of tooth development, wrap your finger in a piece of gauze or a soft washcloth and wipe your child's gums each day. This should get rid of any food particles that are lingering along the gum line, and will make it easier to transition your child to a toothbrush as they grow older.

2. Watch for signs of teething.

When you get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums on a daily basis, you can more readily spot the signs of teething. Some parents are surprised to discover that there is actually an order in which teeth should come in. Watching for signs of teething, like swelling of the gums or rubbing of the face, will allow you to monitor the order in which your own child's teeth are appearing.

If you notice that some teeth are appearing before they should, or some teeth are failing to appear at all, you can consult with a pediatric dentist. Watching for signs of teething helps you keep your child comfortable, but this is also an essential part of daily dental care for infants aged 0 to 6 months.

3. Have your pediatric dentist assess your child's dental risks.

The dental history of a child's mother plays a vital role in determining his or her future dental problems. By the time your child reaches 6 months of age, a pediatric dentist should be able to assess whether or not your child is at-risk for serious dental problems.

By looking over the mother's dental records, a pediatric dentist can spot any potential genetic issues. This will allow you to better monitor your child's dental development in the future. Working with a pediatric dentist even before your child starts teething can be a great way to provide the best dental care possible.

When it comes to dental care for your infant, don't be tempted to wait until your baby starts teething to think about dental health. Wiping your baby's gums each day, monitoring signs of teething, and having a pediatric dentist evaluate your child's risk of developing dental issues in the future will allow you to give your baby the best possible chance at developing healthy teeth.

To learn more, contact a company like North Phoenix Pediatric Dentistry.

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