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Children and Dental Care, When Do I Start?

Children and Dental Care, When Do I Start?

By Reno Laser Dentistry

December 29, 2011

Category: dentist

Tags: Reno Laser Dentistry Reno Dentist Dental Dental Care for Children Dental Visit

The joy of being a new parent, all the sleepless nights, extended family filled with joy, and the transition into parenthood. With all the new responsibility, do you know when proper dental care should start? Do you know when your child should have their first dental visit?

According to the editors at KidsHealth.org “Proper dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Remember that just because you can’t see the teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.

Running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.

Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term — but it can harm the baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth. Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in.

Parents and childcare providers should help young kids set specific times for drinking each day because sucking on a bottle throughout the day can be equally damaging to young teeth.”

You can read the entire article at http://health.msn.com/kids-health/keeping-your-childs-teeth-healthy

It’s recommended that your child should visit their dentist when the first tooth comes in. This will then start your child off with the proper dental care and establish that dental care is a priority from the start. So don’t forget to contact Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice located in Reno to set-up an appointment his staff is very knowledgeable and professional.