What you need to know about your childs dental development…

When babies are in the womb, they already have a full set of 20baby teeth hidden beneath their gums. In most instances these teeth begin to appear once the baby is 6 to 8 months old, however in some cases teeth can appear as early on as 3 months old. Most children will have all baby teeth through by the age of 3. Here at Skye Dental, we believe in the importance of beginning dental checks early on, we often suggest once teeth start coming through to start with regular dental visits.

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Teething

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When teeth begin to come through the surface of the gum, this is the start of a process called teething. To know when a baby is potentially teething there are a few signs to look for. They may cry a lot or be very upset, won’t feed as well as normal, suck on objects often such as toys or bibs and have red cheeks. It is possible these things may be caused by teething or they could be normal development or possible illness. It is important to consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

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To help with the teething process there a few things you can try such as giving your baby a teething ring or something to bite on,  gently massaging their gums with a clean finger, feeding your baby foods that require less chewing or giving them something firm like a rusk stick to suck on.

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How do I care for my babies teeth and gums?

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You can start dental care for your baby before the first teeth appear. You can use a damp lean face washer or gauze to gently wipe your babies gums twice a day, this helps your baby get ready for tooth brushing once the first tooth cuts through. Once the teeth start to appears, use a soft infant toothbrush to clean their teeth, these are specifically designed for children younger than 2 years. Until your baby hits18 months old it is best to just use water to brush their teeth unless otherwise advised. Starting a good dental routine young sets your child up with good dental habits for whole life.

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Tips for preventing tooth decay

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To prevent tooth decay in babies there a few things you can do, first and foremost cleaning their teeth regularly is important but diet and the way you feed your baby also plays a massive role. Giving your baby only breastmilk or formula until you eventually introduce them to solids at around 6 months will help. Once solids are introduced into the diet, avoid foods with a high sugar content. If your baby likes a dummy, do not dip it in food, sugar or sweet liquids like honey. Also as recommended by the team here at Skye Dental schedule routine dental cleanings and exams for your child every 6 months.

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If you have any questions or it is time for your baby to come for their first dental visit, please contact Skye Dental’s friendly team on 07 3823 1896 or use our simple online booking system to make an appointment.