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What Parents Need to Know About Baby Teeth

19 May 2021

Oscar Allen

It's a big milestone for both parents and baby as the first tooth emerges. Take a look at few tips to help you cope with baby and permanent teeth to ensure your child's dental health is assured.

1. The sooner you begin to help your child understand the importance of good dental hygiene, the better. Begin gently brushing your child's teeth as soon as you can. Be careful of swollen gums, however, from emerging teeth. Dental care should be a painless and happy experience for your child. Good habits formed now will follow them throughout their lives.

2. As soon as you think your child is ready, provide them with a soft toothbrush for brushing their teeth each night before bed. You can find special small brushes perfect for little mouths.

3. Some parents are surprised when their child has a cavity. Even baby teeth can become decayed and that will have to be addressed by a dentist. To prevent baby tooth cavities, don't allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle of sweet liquids. The juice or drink has plenty of time to sit on their teeth and cause decay.

4. If your child sucks their thumb and they are now a toddler, know that it's more than just an innocent habit. Prolonged thumb-sucking can seriously damage your child's bite and lead to the need for orthodontic treatment. Some children suck their thumbs well into early childhood if the issue is not addressed. Speak to your dentist for tips on helping your child stop thumb-sucking in a gentle and positive way.

5. Teething pain can take a pleasant happy child and turn them into a miserable mess. Almost any time after about six months of age your child might begin to be wakeful at night, cry, shake their heads, and show other signs of discomfort. Try giving your child a frozen washcloth, cool or frozen foods, or a frozen teething ring for some pain relief.

6. Baby tooth loss and permanent teeth have a timeline all their own but many children will begin to lose their baby teeth at around four years of age. Children often show you the presence of a loose tooth by putting their fingers in their mouth or pushing the tooth with their tongues. If your child has a few baby teeth hanging on and they are about to begin first grade, speak to your dentist.

7. Sometimes, your child's permanent teeth push against the baby teeth and create pain for your child. This issue could signal bite problems to come so speak to your dentist for some guidance.

To find out more about coping with your child's first teeth, contact pediatric dental care services. 

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