Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. However, to help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sweet things, like formula, are in contact with the teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your child to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink.
Many parents think baby teeth aren’t important because they’re eventually replaced with permanent ones. However, these first teeth preserve the spacing for the permanent ones and help your baby chew and talk. If not cared for properly they can decay, leading to a gum infection called gingivitis, which can affect the spacing of permanent teeth. As soon as teeth erupt, you can start using a bit of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. You can increase this to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is three-years-old. Brush gently all around your child’s baby teeth using a soft brush. You should brush your baby’s teeth until he or she is old enough to hold the toothbrush themselves.
If your child is old enough for a dental exam, please give us a call. For more information about pediatric services in addition to other services we provide at the practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.
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