If you can’t get enough of your baby’s toothless smile, just wait until you see the first teeth arrive! Caring for your child’s teeth from the start is crucial to maintaining their overall dental health. You may think it’s not essential to care for the mini pearly whites since they fall out anyway, but they play a significant role in the health of the adult teeth. Starting an oral care regimen for your child at an early age will help ensure a healthy, happy smile for a lifetime!

Why Is It Important to Care for Your Child’s Teeth?

Even though your child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, you need to make sure they stay healthy and cavity free. These little chompers don’t fall out until later on in childhood, between the ages of 6 and 12, and are essential for your child’s health and development.

Baby teeth help your child chew and speak clearly, and also hold space in the jaws for the permanent teeth that are beginning to grow under the gums. If your child loses any baby teeth too early, the permanent teeth may drift into the space left behind, resulting in crooked or crowded adult teeth. Starting off your child with proper oral care can ensure healthy teeth for years to come!

Caring for Your Child’s Baby Teeth

Begin to clean your baby’s gums after birth by wiping them with a clean, moist gauze pad. Once the first tooth comes, It’s time to start brushing twice a day using a smear of fluoride-free infant toothpaste, or as directed by your child’s pediatric dentist.

Children from three to six years of age will need to brush their teeth twice daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, or as directed by the pediatric dentist. Make sure to remind your child not to swallow any toothpaste. It’s best to brush your precious little one’s teeth until you are comfortable that he or she can brush and rinse independently. Once your baby has teeth adjacent to each other, you will need to clean in between them daily.

With the eruption of the first tooth, it’s always a good idea to schedule your baby’s first dental appointment. We at Smile Explorers look forward to caring for all your child’s dental needs to ensure that they stay strong and healthy! Every time you visit us, we will check your little one’s mouth for any issues or decay, and will also examine the bite, gums, and jaw. If necessary, we will clean the teeth and provide your baby with fluoride to strengthen those tiny teeth. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about caring for your child’s teeth with floss.

With the eruption of the first tooth, it’s always a good idea to schedule your baby’s first dental appointment.  We at Smile Explorers look forward to caring for all your child’s dental needs to ensure that they stay strong and healthy!  Every time you visit us, we will check your little one’s mouth for any issues or decay, and will also examine the bite, gums and jaw.  If necessary, we will clean the teeth and provide our baby with fluoride to strengthen those tine teeth.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have about caring for your child’s teeth.

Contact Us Today

Visit us today at Smile Explorers, your Deer Valley, AZ Pediatric Dentist, to learn more about keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Our experienced and kid-friendly staff will provide your child with the gentle dental care he or she deserves. We strive to help your child achieve the brightest, healthiest smile!