1 ) Arrival of Teeth
Bringing a new life into the world poses a lot of unknowns, fortunately, there are some certainties you can be on the look out for with your little one:
- Babies are born with 20 teeth below their gums
- Those teeth generally arrive between 6-12 months
- A full set of teeth usually arrive by the ripe age of 3
Take a tip from Mouthhealthy.org on what to do for the eruption of new teeth.
2) Signs & Symptoms of Teething
Teething affects every baby differently, some kids become irritable, others sleepless. So here is what you should expect during your child’s teething phase:
What’s normal?
- Fussiness
- Trouble with Sleeping
- Increased Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Increase in Drooling
What isn’t normal?
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Rash
3) When to Start Brushing with Toothpaste
Upon the first tooth’s arrival, decay can already start happening. With that said, it’s time to start brushing. Choose the best tube of toothpaste. You can find a preferred toothpaste here with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
4) How Much Toothpaste to Use
Moderation is a good thing as it does not require very much toothpaste to clean your kiddo’s mouth. We recommend that you brush your child’s teeth twice a day using a child-sized toothbrush until he or she is able to do so themselves. While parents are doing the brushing, use a ‘grain of rice’ amount of toothpaste for children under 3 and about a ‘pea’ sized amount for those older than 3.
5) Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Affecting the upper front teeth, baby bottle tooth decay is a result of putting down your child with a bottle and the sugary contents of that bottle attack the newly formed teeth. Extended exposure of such contents can lead to the obvious oral health issues like cavities and gingivitis. Let’s put an end to this unnecessary epidemic and be sure to not sooth your child’s sleep with a bottle instead of a pacifier.
6) How Soon Should You Schedule Their First Dental Visit?
So another first for your little one. A child’s initial trip to the dentist should happen after their first tooth arrives, or no later than their first birthday. As soon as teeth develop so does harmful bacteria which cause cavities and other oral issues, so it is pertinent to follow these guidelines.
Do you have a little one in need of a check up? If so, give us a call at (805) 884-1874 or visit our contact page to schedule your appointment.
original article source: MouthHealthy.Org