Posted: October 7, 2015
Since about twenty primary teeth begin forming as early as the second trimester of pregnancy, it is important to start taking care of your baby's oral health right away. Teething can begin as early as four to six months after delivery. Here are seven ways Dr. Frank suggests you can improve your baby's oral health:
- Take your baby for dental check-ups. It's never too early to bring them to our Hoboken pediatric dentistry office.
- Instill good habits of brushing and flossing.
- Avoid “child bottle decay” by not putting them down for naps with a juice or milk bottle. Sugary liquids stick to teeth, sustaining bacteria on tooth enamel that can bring on tooth rot.
- Limit instant fruit juices and other sugary substances. Juice should be given as pure juice and limited to 4 oz. per day.
- Control the sippy cup.
- Stop using the pacifier by age 2 or 3. Prolonged use can affect the arrangement of your baby's teeth.
- Pay attention to sweet or sugary medicines. They may taste great, but the sugars can stick to your baby's teeth. Some asthma medicines can bring about an excess of candida, a prompt for a fungal infection known as oral thrush (signs of oral thrush include creamy, curd-like patches inside the mouth or on the tongue).
Taking care of your baby's gums will make them cleaner, healthier, and more receptive to teething. Use a sterile gauze or soft, clean and damp cloth to gently wipe your baby's tender gums. When brushing at the first appearance of teeth, use an infant toothbrush and just a dab of fluoride toothpaste.
Please contact Children’s Dentistry of Hoboken using the form at the right side of the page or call 201-792-9400 today to schedule an appointment with our Hoboken board-certified pediatric dentists.
