Pediatric Dentist Near Me
Infant Dentistry in Tustin - Orange County CA
Baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) begin forming during pregnancy. Thus, a child's oral health starts using their mother when they're still developing in the womb. So, it's important for expectant mothers to eat a nutritious diet with enough vitamins and minerals to ensure proper development of their unborn child. In addition, expectant mothers should be viewed by way of a dentist for a complete exam to address any cavities or gum disease as these dental related issues can affect their unborn child. Guidelines some frequently asked questions regarding important topics affecting your child's teeth and gums. When you have any additional questions relating to your child's teeth and gums, make sure you ask Dr. Baker.
When should I take my child to visit a dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a young child should see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth becomes contained in their mouth (this is normally between 6 and 12 months of age) or by their first birthday. This appointment helps you to establish a dental home for your youngster – a place where your child's dental needs/issues can be addressed and questions/concerns that you have as a parent can be answered.
The pediatric dentist will perform a test to ensure that there are no tooth or gum issues present. Additionally, the pediatric dentist will inform you of early prevention techniques to keep your child's teeth and gums healthy. Remember, helping your son or daughter reach good oral health is a team effort that involves the dentist and parents, so start early!
What type of dental problems could my baby have?
The important thing to fighting dental disease is prevention. Early Childhood Caries (previously referred to as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries) can begin as soon as a child's first tooth becomes present. Thus, the earlier your youngster sees a pediatric dentist, the greater the opportunity of preventing dental problems including cavities.
Remember, children with healthy teeth are less likely to have dental pain, have the ability to chew food quicker, and are more prone to show off their beautiful smile!
What should I find out about nursing or utilizing a bottle since it pertains to my child's oral health?
Once the first baby tooth comes in and other sourced elements of nutrition for your child have already been introduced, at-will breast-feeding should no longer occur. Furthermore, don't allow your child to get to sleep with a container containing anything but water. In reality, children ought to be weaned from the bottle between 12 and 14 months of age. Generally, minimize the quantity of juice and other sugar-containing drinks your son or daughter consumes. So, if your youngster wants juice, make certain they cannot drink more than a cup daily, they drink it over a brief time frame (not through the day), and that it is given with dinner or snack (not by itself). Remember, WATER IS BEST for the child's teeth!
When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?
You can start cleaning your child's gums with a soft toothbrush or wet cloth when they're born. Whenever your child's teeth begin to come in, you can start brushing their teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste. For children under age 3 years, use no higher than a “smear” number of fluoridated toothpaste. For children over age 3, work with a “pea-size” quantity of fluoridated toothpaste.
It is essential to understand that children under age 6 years are incapable of brush and floss their teeth perfectly, so make sure you help your child brush and floss their teeth. This can help prevent dental cavities and allow your child to smile with full confidence!
Any suggestions about teething?
Teething occurs whenever your child begins getting his/her new teeth. A child's first group of teeth usually begin to come in at about 6 months of age, although the timing varies among children. All your child's 20 baby teeth must be present by 3 years of age. Your youngster will miss their other baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
When teeth erupt to the mouth, the gums could become tender and your youngster may have some discomfort. Parents may consider employing a teething ring, an iced/wet wash-cloth, or rub the baby's gums with a clean finger.
How should I address a thumb/finger sucking habit?
Thumb sucking is normal for infants and usually stops by 2 years of age. However, thumb sucking that continues on beyond age 3 years can cause teeth in the future in crooked or create bite problems. Your child's pediatric dentist will discuss ways to handle the habit, and ways to improve any tooth or bite issues that could have arisen as a result of the thumb/finger sucking habit.
