If you’ve recently become a parent, you probably now fully understand all of those times your parents panicked over your health and safety growing up. Now that you have a little one of your own, you want to do everything in your power to make sure you’re giving him or her all of the support and opportunity you can to help them learn, grow, and stay healthy. One often overlooked area of early childcare is the health of your child’s mouth and teeth. Because it can take months or years for teeth to grow in, new parents often gloss over this area of healthcare, or only think about it when their child is suffering from painful teething. Teething can be an exciting and stressful time, and it is important to understand what’s happening to best help your baby through it. If you’re curious about how you can be proactive about your child’s oral health and comfort as their teeth grow in, read on to learn about their first set of chompers!
When to Expect Their First Tooth
Most babies start to see their first teeth erupt between three and nine months. This can be a painful, arduous process that leaves your baby fussy and upset. Most experts believe that a baby should first see the dentist within six months of his or her first tooth erupting, and no later than their first birthday.
How to Know When Teething Starts
There are often signs that your babies teeth may be about to come in well before you see the actual first tooth, but they will be unique to each child and tooth. While some babies exhibit no signs, many may start drooling more, show a desire to chew on solid objects, or refuse to eat. Still, other children will simply become more cranky as the tooth starts to grow, their gums may become inflamed, or they may become particularly fussy around times designated for sleeping. It’s important to note that a commonly believed myth is that runny nose, fever, and diarrhea are signs of teething. There is no scientific evidence to support these ideas, and if your child is exhibiting these symptoms, it is important to have him or her evaluated by a doctor.
Looking after a Baby Tooth
Your baby’s oral health regimen will obviously differ from your own in many ways. While toothpaste is unnecessary at the very early stages of tooth growth, it’s important to cleanse your child’s mouth with a damp cloth to help remove excess bacteria—even before their first tooth erupts. When you take your baby in for his or her first dental visit, your dentist can help instruct you on how to properly care for your baby’s mouth. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any point during this visit, or on the phone before or after!
Growing—and eventually losing—baby teeth is an exciting rite of passage for both child and parent!
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s new set of teeth, or to schedule your baby’s first dental visit, give us a call at Manus Dental in Yorkville, Lake Zurich, or Hyde Park today!