admin
Sep 01, 2023
Your baby is the centre of your universe. Every sound they make and every step they take is an amazing feat for the parents. It is difficult for them not to worry about the growth milestones in the initial years of the child. Most parents have a lot of concerns about their baby's teeth. Some eagerly await the first eruptions, and others must learn to keep them clean.
However, you can avoid getting distressed when you have the right knowledge. Here is a list of seven facts prepared by expert dentists to help new parents understand baby teeth and ways to care for them. Paying attention to milk teeth is important because children need them until permanent teeth replace them. So, let us look at the facts that can help in this regard.
1. Appearance of First Baby Teeth
Parents must understand that the time of eruption of the first tooth can vary for each child. Some babies can get their first tooth when they are six months old, while others may have to wait until they turn one. Teeth formation occurs when the baby is in the mother's womb, and they finally emerge from the gums after a few months of the birth.
The first tooth can sometimes appear as early as three months after birth. You should speak to your paediatric dentists in Hope Island if there is no sign of teeth in the baby's mouth even after turning one.
2. Order of Teeth Appearance in Babies
The first teeth to appear in babies are the central incisors, which are present in the middle of the row of the lower teeth. The next ones to appear are the ones surrounding them, called lateral incisors and canines. The first molars and second molars follow these.
The second molars erupt after the baby is 24 months old or older. Most babies get all 20 milk teeth by the age of three. They are temporary and start falling out from the age of six. They are replaced by permanent teeth.
3. Teething Symptoms in Babies
Teething is painful for babies as the teeth make their way out of the gums. However, most parents are unable to identify the symptoms. To identify the signs and provide the required soothing, parents must watch out for swollen or sensitive gums, crankiness, biting on toys and bibs, slight fever, drooling and taking too long to sleep. When you notice these symptoms, you must visit your paediatric dentist in Hope Island to determine the cause.
4. Ways to Relieve Teething Pain
Although teething does not cause much pain, it can be an uncomfortable feeling for them. Parents can get distressed because of the irritability and fussiness showcased by their babies. They can alleviate the discomfort of teething by massaging their gums gently with clean hands.
They can also offer solid foods to chew on if they have started eating solid foods. Many parents also use teething rings, but these must be given only under supervision to avoid choking and mouth injury. If they have a fever, consult your paediatrician to know the medication that can be given to the baby.
5. Oral Hygiene Routine for Babies
Parents must begin the mouth cleaning routine from the first month itself. They must use a washcloth or wet gauze to gently clean the gums after feeding. They must clean the tongue and inner walls of the mouth as well.
They can start brushing after the teeth erupt with the help of a soft baby brush and toothpaste prescribed by the family dentist. Use toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for babies.
The toothpaste should have fluoride because it helps to strengthen the tooth enamel. Babies who are six months or older can be given fluoridated tap water in a sippy cup to help in teeth development. The amount of toothpaste can be increased to the size of a pea when the child turns three.
6. Visit the Dentist When the First Tooth Appears
Many parents are not aware of the fact that they need to get the baby’s mouth examined when the first tooth erupts. It is necessary because the paediatric dentists in Hope Island will check the developmental progress of baby teeth.
They can detect any issues and inform the parents about them, such as the decay of milk teeth because of bacteria and lack of oral care. Also, they will provide instructions related to tooth cleaning and oral hygiene that must be followed religiously.
7. Maintain A Healthy Diet for Babies
It is known that babies must be given only breast milk and formula until six months. Solid foods and fluoridated tap water can be introduced into their diet after they are six months old. However, parents should not make the mistake of giving foods with high sugar content or sugary drinks, such as packaged fruit juices and jellies.
Also, do not make them go to sleep with the milk bottle in the mouth. It can cause tooth decay because the formula milk stays in contact with the teeth for a long time.
Wrapping Up
Baby teeth are valuable even though they are not permanent. They lay the foundation for stronger permanent teeth and must be cleaned properly. Parents must visit a renowned paediatric dentist in Hope Island to get the guidance needed to maintain their child’s milk teeth.
