Is your child almost a year old? According to the American Dental Association, children should receive their first checkup around the age of one, or earlier if the first tooth erupts before then. Regularly scheduled six-month appointments should typically begin around the age of three, but you should begin to care for your child’s oral health as early as possible. Your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield shares some of the ways for you to properly maintain your children’s optimal oral health.
Emerging First Tooth
Prior to an infant developing their first tooth, gum cleanings are recommended to maintain a healthy oral environment. You can achieve this by wiping your child’s gums with a clean, wet rag, or by rubbing them with a freshly washed finger. When your infant is teething, the process can sometimes cause discomfort. Luckily, there are options to help ease your child’s aching gums. Allowing your child to chew on a teething ring could alleviate some of the discomfort associated with an erupting tooth. Always ensure that the teething ring is cleaned and sanitized before offering it to your child. A cool, wet wash cloth can also offer some comfort to your teething baby.
Arrival of Your Child’s Teeth
When your child’s first tooth arrives, you can immediately begin the daily tooth brushing routing using a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and plain water. Toothpaste should not be used until your child is old enough not to swallow it. For optimal results, brush your child’s baby teeth after feeding and before bedtime. Beware of allowing your infant to fall asleep with a milk or formula bottle in his/her mouth. This can lead to the accumulation of bacteria, which could cause tooth decay or other oral health issues.
Schedule Your Visit
For more information regarding the oral health of your children, schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenfield today. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry we provide comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our 48360 dentist office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.
