Infant Dental Care

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As a new parent, there is so much to learn and do that it’s easy to overlook the importance of infant dental care. However, according to the Centers for Disease control, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. So to ensure your baby a healthy mouth, you’ll want to get an early start on homecare.
Home from the Hospital
Believe it or not, your infant’s oral care should start as soon as you come home from the hospital. Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a moist piece of gauze or wash cloth after each feeding. As soon the first teeth appear (around age six months) they are at risk for tooth decay; so you’ll want to continue cleaning the gums, but give special attention to these new little teeth with either the gauze or a small …show more content…

Loss of appetite is another common sign of teething, but if your baby has a fever or diarrhea you should call your physician since these are not normal symptoms.
There are all sorts of remedies that can help relieve a baby’s sore gums— frozen teething rings, cold wet wash cloths, chilled teething rings—to name a few. But sometimes you just have to experiment to find what works the best for your little one. However, always check with your baby’s doctor before giving any over-the-counter pain relievers. And, based on a 2014 U.S. food and Drug Administration safety announcement, topical gels or liquids should not be used on any child under the age of two due to the risk of serious complications.
First Dental Visit
Both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry agree that a baby’s first dental appointment should be no later than 6 months after the first tooth appears which is usually before his or her first birthday. Establishing a dental home early on gives babies an opportunity to get used to the dental-office environment, and it’s a perfect time for you ask any questions you may have about teething, use of pacifiers or caring for your baby’s teeth. Your dentist can also begin monitoring the development of your child’s teeth and discuss fluoride recommendations with

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