What Every Parents Needs to Know About Infant Dental Care

By Deborah Nelson

Have you ever wondered about your baby’s dental health? If they’ve started solids and have teeth, they probably need to start having their teeth brushed. Here are a few of the common questions parents have about this subject.

Do I Need to Brush My Baby's Teeth?
In short, the answer is yes.

A child is susceptible to tooth decay as soon as the first teeth appear (often around 6 months, but it could be earlier or later in your baby) according to the American Dental Association.

The good news is that it’s not hard to do when you get your baby into the habit early. If you wait until they are more resistant to new things (around age 2) then you will find the process more challenging.

Why Should I Worry About Cavities in Baby Teeth that Will Fall Out Eventually? 

•Baby teeth serve as place holders for the permanent teeth that come in later. If baby teeth have to be removed, then it can cause problems later.

•With healthy teeth, your baby will have a nice smile and better breath.

•Your baby is less likely to be teased by other children for having bad breath or teeth.

When Should I Start Brushing My Baby's Teeth?
It's wise to start taking care of your baby's gums before they even have teeth, so you create a habit for yourself and the baby becomes accustomed to you performing this task. The American Dental Association recommends starting to brush when your baby is still a newborn.

Take a wet washcloth or one of the soft toothbrushes designed for a newborn and wipe or gently brush the baby's gums with it. Most research says do not use fluoride toothpaste. Babies do not know how to spit out their toothpaste and run the risk of swallowing it, and excess fluoride can cause spots on the teeth. Get the advice of your dentist or pediatric dentist for further guidance.

When Should I First Take My Child to the Dentist? 
Although the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends "1st visit by 1st birthday," we have to keep in mind that their members have a financial stake in the answer =). When I asked my own dentist, she said I could wait until age three. It's a harder decision than one might think. Some babies go to the dentist at age 1 or 2 and get cavities by the time they are 3 (when most baby teeth are in place). Some babies never visit the dentist until age 3 and have no cavities. Diet and heredity, in addition to dental care, all play a part in whether a child will get cavities.

How Do I Start Good Dental Habits? 
Brush your teeth before you give your little one his or her toothbrush. Smile and show your teeth. You can even "brusha brusha brusha!" in a silly voice to make the experience funny and fun. If you start early, there will be little resistance on the part of your baby, because it will be something they have always done.

Deboran Nelson manages the web site Totville, which has FREE tips and articles on babies, breastfeeding, and baby names.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Nelson
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Every-Parents-Needs-to-Know-About-Infant-Dental-Care&id=342953