Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry is proud to be your choice when you’re looking for pediatric dentistry in Littleton, CO. Our mission is to provide a fun and friendly office environment in order to promote a lifetime of great dental health for your child. However, when it comes to building a lifetime of great dental health, you’ll need to start proper dental care from day one – dental care for your infant. For your benefit (and your child’s benefit as well), we’ve provided several steps to maintain safe infant dental care.
Blog01 19Aug2016
Infant Tooth Care From Your Littleton Kids’ Dentist
Steps to Take for Proper Infant Dental Care
You’ll want to follow these guidelines in order to keep your child’s dental health at an optimal level:
One of the most important things to an infant’s health is actually the mother’s health. Disease-causing bacteria can easily transfer from mother to child so poor hygiene and dietary habits of the mother increase the risk of causing infant dental decay.
During the first year, you should clean your baby’s gums at least twice a day and after feedings so that you can prevent bacteria from multiplying. Gently use a small water-soaked washcloth or gauze pad to properly clean your child’s gums.
Your baby will begin teething at between three to nine months of age. This means that your infant’s baby teeth will start to erupt. When they finally do, gently brush them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush.
According to the American Dental Association, you’ll want to schedule your child’s first dental appointment by the age of one or whenever your child’s first tooth erupts. Dental problems can develop early and this visit essentially acts as a prevention program.
What to Avoid When Caring For Your Infant’s Teeth
When it comes to your infant’s dental health, there are several things you’ll want to avoid:
Avoid overexposing your baby to fluoride. Fluoride is mostly found in toothpaste and bottled water.
Don’t share your eating utensils, cups, or anything else that can transfer your bacteria.
Don’t let your baby fall asleep when nursing or with a bottle in his or her mouth. This can potentially lead to a cavity.
Try to avoid or discourage thumb sucking and pacifier sucking as soon as possible. These habits can cause bite problems or crooked teeth.
Contact Your Littleton Pediatric Dental Specialists
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with us, we encourage you to fill out our appointment request form. Alternatively, you can give us a call at (303) 225-4715 for our Castle Pines North office or (303) 791-4400 for our Highlands Ranch Town Center office. If you have any questions about infant dental care, please feel free to contact us Highlands Ranch or Lone Tree dental offices. We look forward to seeing you and helping to put your infant on the path to a lifetime of great dental health!