Infant Oral Health
Good oral health care habits start young, and bringing infants to the dentist from an early age helps eliminate anxiety over the dentist, setting a foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Just as you teach your children other self-care habits, such as potty-training and bathing, you want to emphasize that caring for one’s teeth is important. Taking your child to the dentist helps to normalize this behavior, and it means that he or she is much more likely to continue visiting the dentist regularly as an adult.
Recommendations from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advise that your child see the dentist for the first time at about the age of 12 months, and Austin children's dentist Dr. Christina Ramirez concurs.
Of course, if you have concerns about your child’s oral health before that age, you are welcome to call Tiny Texans Pediatric Dentistry to make an appointment!
The Long-Term Ramifications of Poor Oral Health
It is believed that nearly 20 percent of Americans don’t go to the dentist regularly out of fear.
Seeing a pediatric dentist from an early age can prevent dental anxiety from forming in your children. A pediatric dentist is well-equipped to make visiting the dentist seem fun and safe, establishing a positive association with dental care right from the beginning.
The implications of poor oral health run deep. It has been documented that kids with poor oral hygiene miss more days of school, visit the emergency room more frequently, and have a reduced ability to learn. They also tend to need expensive dental treatment down the road.
Infant Oral Health Issues
Oral health issues are not common in infants, but most parents have questions about how to take care of their child’s gums and first teeth.
Before teeth come in, we recommend using a soft washcloth and water to gently clean gums after feeding—or at least once a day right before bedtime. You can use a specially designed infant toothpaste if you would like, although this is not necessary.
Once the first tooth erupts, you can switch to a soft toothbrush. When you come in for your child’s first dental appointment, we can go over this, and we will show you just how to do it properly.
Just as important as cleaning the teeth and gums is ensuring your child is getting the proper nutrition. Start establishing good dietary habits now by limiting sugary snacks and beverages, and encouraging healthy foods and plenty of water.
If your child uses a pacifier or is a thumb-sucker to self-soothe, rest assured that this is appropriate behavior in the early years. By the time your child is about three years old, however, these habits can negatively impact dental development. Ask Dr. Christina for help with strategies on breaking these habits in your child.
Why Tiny Texans Pediatric Dentistry?
Choose us because we treat your children as if they were our own. Our focus is on knowledge, education, and preventive treatment to keep your kids’ smiles happy and healthy.
Call our office today to schedule an appointment for your infant and set your child up for a lifetime of good dental habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend your child’s first visit take place within six months of that first tooth eruption or by their first birthday. This is also the recommendation set by the American Dental Association.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist is friendly and nonthreatening. Our primary goals are to get your child accustomed to the dentist and keep him or her from ever getting a cavity. If your child is anxious, you may even sit in the dental chair with your child on your lap.
Dr. Christina will conduct a short examination, checking for signs of decay, problems with bite, and health of the gums. She will also talk to you about good oral hygiene practices to follow at home, whether a fluoride treatment is recommended, and developmental milestones. If your child is a thumb-sucker or tongue-thruster, she will help you with strategies for stopping these behaviors. Because she believes so strongly in the connection between proper eating and good oral health, Dr. Christina will also offer advice on proper nutrition.
Taking children to the dentist at an early age sets them up for a lifetime of visiting the dentist regularly. We do everything we can to make sure their experience at the dentist is as pleasant as possible!
Good oral habits start young, so it is never too early to practice good oral hygiene habits with your child. You can start by wiping their gums with a soft, wet baby washcloth after feedings until teeth start to erupt. This habit helps remove any milk residue, gets the child used to you being in their mouth, and can help with teething pain.
Once the child has a tooth erupt (usually around six months of age), you can continue with a washcloth or start using a finger brush or infant toothbrush. Ideally, you want to brush your child’s teeth at least every night after their last meal. You don’t need to use toothpaste at this time, although there are particular kinds available specifically for children this age. Ask Dr. Christina about those if you are interested.
For infants who fall asleep nursing or with a milk bottle, try to at least brush their teeth and gums well before their last feeding and again once they wake up.
Be sure to bring your child to the dentist for his or her first appointment right around their first birthday. Dr. Christina can go over more specifics on good home oral care at this time.
You should start brushing your child's teeth as soon as they start to come in and assist with brushing until they are old enough to tie their own shoe laces (around age 7). For children 3 and younger, try and brush for 20-30 seconds without any toothpaste first. After you see the teeth and gums look clean, you have let them take over with a rice size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Try having the child lay down (like on the changing table before a diaper change) when you brush so that you can easily see all the teeth. For children over 3 years of age, brushing should be twice a day for 1-2 minutes. This is also an ideal time to have them start flossing or transitioning to an electric toothbrush. An adult needs to check every evening before bed that the teeth and gums look clean of food or plaque. If they did not do a good job, go back and assist them with brushing, especially along the gumline.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Gracen Marriott
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Gracen Marriott, DDS, was born and raised in a small mountain town in Colorado where she spent time skiing, snowboarding, and hiking in the mountains. She grew up the second of five children, so her house was always busy, loud, and lots of fun! She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University, studying Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology.
It was in dental school that she fell in love with the state of Texas and met her fellow dentist husband, Tyler. Dr. Gracen stayed at UT Health San Antonio to complete her residency ...
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