Teething
Normally the first tooth erupts between ages 6 to 12 months. Gums can be sore, tender and sometimes irritable until the age of 3. Rubbing sore gums gently with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon or a cold, wet cloth helps soothe the gums.
According to Surgeon General, dental caries remains the most common chronic disease of childhood in United States ,affecting 50% of first-graders and 80% of 17 year-olds. While your baby is teething, it is important to monitor the teeth for signs of baby bottle tooth decay. Examine the teeth, especially the inside or the tongue side , every two weeks for dull spots(whiter than the tooth surface) or lines. A bottle containing anything other than water and left in an infant’s mouth while sleeping can cause decay. This occurs because the sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria in dental plaque, (a thick whitish filmy layer on teeth) forming acids that attack the tooth enamel within 20 minutes of sugar intake. While awake, saliva carries away the liquids. During sleep, however, the saliva flow decreases significantly and liquids pool around the child’s teeth, covering them in acids and hence potential for cavity formation.
At what age should my child have his/her first visit?
According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and American Academy of Pediatrics, your child should see a dentist when the first tooth erupts, usually by his/her first birthday. The most important part of the visit is getting to know and becoming comfortable with the doctor and her staff. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems.
Infant's New Teeth
The primary, or “baby,” teeth play a crucial role in dental development. Without them, a child cannot chew food properly and has difficulty speaking clearly. Primary teeth are vital to development of the jaws and for guiding the permanent (secondary) teeth into place when they replace the primary teeth around age 6.
Infant Tooth Eruption
Children’s teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first primary teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by age 3, the pace and order of eruption varies.
How should I clean my baby’s teeth?
For infants, use wet gauze to wipe off plaque after each feeding. Do not put your child to sleep with a bottle. Sweet liquids will coat your child’s teeth, allowing plaque to produce acids that can attack the enamel. Do not use fluoride containing toothpaste until your child is able to fully expectorate the toothpaste.
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar (juice, breast milk, formula) will cause a serious condition known as baby bottle tooth decay (Early Childhood Caries).This happens when a child goes to sleep while breast feeding and /or bottle feeding. During sleep the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. If you must give the baby a bottle as a comforter at bed time, it should contain only water. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque.