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Your baby’s first tooth will likely appear sometime in the first year of life.
We chatted with Dr. Gary Powell, one of the dentists at Carrington Dental in West Kelowna to get tips on dental care for your baby.
What can parents do to help ease the discomfort of teething?
Rub your baby's gums with a moist, clean finger or a moistened gauze pad. The pressure can ease the discomfort. A cool washcloth or teething ring can also help.
However, Dr. Powell does not recommend using a frozen teething ring because it will be too hard on the gums. Consider keeping a cloth handy to wipe the excess saliva, to prevent skin irritation around the mouth and chin.
If your baby is especially cranky, baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) or baby ibuprofen (Advil) can be used as well, but check with your health professional first.
When should your baby’s first appointment with the dentist be?
Dr. Powell suggests that your child’s first visit to the dental office should be within six months of when you see baby’s first tooth.
If you can, schedule the appointment at a time when the child has had enough sleep and is relaxed. Bringing a favourite toy can help ease any anxiety.
How often should you bring your child to the dentist?
Going to the dentist twice a year can prevent potential minor problems from escalating.
However this is a general guideline, and Dr. Powell says that children who are at increased risk of tooth decay, have unusual growth patterns, or have poor oral hygiene may be advised to schedule more frequent visits.
How do you keep baby teeth clean?
Brush your child’s teeth when you are cleaning your teeth to make it a routine. Twice a day for two minutes – after breakfast and before bedtime – are good habits to get into.
'Lead by example,' says Dr. Powell. 'Parents should brush their child's teeth until they are 7 to 8 years old, then monitor after that until you are confident they can brush properly.'
You may also want to invest in specified kid’s toothbrushes as they have smaller heads and softer bristles that can provide better access to get around your child’s teeth. You can also find children’s toothpastes with lower fluoride content at most pharmacies and grocery stores.
Dr. Powell says to remind your child to spit out the toothpaste and only a small amount is needed – a rice grain sized smear for under three years of age, then a pea-sized amount after that.
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