Dental Care For Infants and Toddlers

Caring for an infant or toddler is a lot of work, and parents may have questions about how they should care for their infant or toddler’s oral health. Webb Pediatric Dentistry is here to answer your questions and Providing gentle dental care for infants and toddlers is our specialty.

Teething is the process of your child’s baby teeth pushing through their gums. It causes discomfort and pain that can be soothed in multiple ways including cool teething rings, cool washcloths, or a gum massage. Teething will continue on and off until all of the baby teeth come through the gums.

The eruption of your baby’s first tooth will typically occur between 6 to 10 months of age, and teething can begin as early as three months old. Once the first tooth emerges, it is time for your baby’s first dentist appointment. Dr. Webb would be honored to be your child’s dentist.

Visiting Dr. Webb regularly is the best way to make sure your baby’s teeth and gums are healthy. A regular check-up every six months will suffice according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. If you think your baby needs an appointment any other time, feel free to schedule one.

Establishing visits to the dentist early makes dental appointments part of your child’s dental care routine and can help prevent them from fearing the dentist by promoting a positive attitude.

Your toddler should have all of their baby teeth by the time they are 3-years-old. See our handy primary teeth chart to learn more. Over the next ten years or so, they will lose all of their baby teeth and adult permanent teeth will replace them.

Cleaning your child’s teeth every day can be a tedious task, but won’t remove all of the stuck-on plaque in every nook and cranny. A professional teeth cleaning, however, will get the job done. Teeth cleanings are performed every six months during a regularly scheduled appointment.

Just because your child will lose their baby teeth, it doesn’t make those teeth less important. Baby teeth serve as a set of practice teeth that prepares your child to care for their adult teeth someday. Losing baby teeth too early can cause the adult teeth to grow crooked. Allowing baby teeth to go uncared for can also result in gum disease and other oral health problems that can contribute to overall health issues.

Now that you know how crucial it is to take care of your baby’s teeth, you need to know how to clean them at home. Use a soft infant toothbrush with a rice grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel. Gently scrub each tooth and the gums to get rid of plaque and sugar particles. Be sure to clean your child’s teeth after every meal and before bedtime. Avoid sugary foods and drinks if possible.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel. It is absolutely safe for toddlers, but should only be used in quantities as directed by your dentist. While it is safe in drinking water, too much additional fluoride can cause problems. That’s why Dr. Webb recommends only using a rice grain-sized amount on a toothbrush when cleaning your toddler’s teeth. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about fluoride.

Thumbsucking and pacifier use may seem harmless but it can cause crooked teeth over time. The pressure will result in teeth growing outward, so it’s best to ween your child off thumbsucking and pacifier use as soon as possible.

Baby bottles themselves don’t cause tooth decay. But the liquids put inside them can cause cavities and tooth decay. Try to avoid juices, soda, and sugar water. Stick to milk, breast milk, or formula. And always clean your baby’s teeth after every meal and snack.

This is a great question for concerned parents to ask. X-rays are safe for your toddler, especially since modern advancements have provided us with imaging technology that uses less radiation. There are also alternative imaging tests. Dr. Webb will only order an x-ray if it’s necessary.

As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Webb has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide thorough dental care to your toddler. If your child is squirmy, Dr. Webb will calmly explain to your child what is happening so they understand and are less fearful. Dr. Webb may also use finger puppets, toys, and figures to help calm your child. In addition, parents may accompany their toddler in the exam room to soothe them.

Pediatric dentists and general dentists both graduate from dental school. But a pediatric dentist like Dr. Webb has more education with a particular focus on children. As such, Dr. Webb possesses knowledge about child psychology and development that a general dentist may lack.

Since pediatric dentistry is geared toward caring for children, we create a nurturing and caring office environment where they feel safe and comfortable. Dr. Webb also has experience caring for special needs children

Webb Pediatric Dentistry only wants the best for your infant or toddler. They deserve respect and the best treatment. Don’t settle for adequate. Your child’s teeth are important. Dr. Webb has years of experience caring for children and she is ready to meet your child and care for their dental needs. To make an appointment, call our office at 704-980-0545 or visit our website to fill out our contact form today!