Caring for Your Baby’s Smiles: An Infant Dental Care Guide

 

Welcoming little ones into the world is such a joy. As the baby begins hitting new milestones, don’t forget those precious first teeth that start coming through! Here at Dentistry Junior, your child’s oral health is our priority from day one. We help lay the foundation for healthy, beautiful smiles that will last a lifetime through preventive dental care.

Crafting Healthy Smiles Through Preventive Care

Our specialist paediatric dentists assess newly erupting teeth, screen for potential issues, and educate on proper care. Catching dental concerns early is invaluable and the treatment is easier and less invasive. We also create a stress-free first dental experience so visiting us becomes second nature to your little one.

Teething Tips and Assessment

Between 6 to 12 months when infants teethe, swollen gums can be very uncomfortable. We teach parents techniques like chilled teether toys, gum massages and safe pain relief to soothe irritable babies. If excessive drooling, chewing, sleeplessness or feeding troubles occur we provide professional assistance. Examining teething patterns helps us advise on issues.

Oral Health Risk Screening

A detailed risk assessment is done by our expert dentist, noting aspects like enamel irregularities, sugar intake pattern and improper bottle feeding – all of which can cause tooth decay. Fluoride exposure and brushing from an early age greatly reduces cavities and expensive repairs later on. We educate you on timely course corrections.

Expert Lactation Support

In addition, Dr. Shruti is a BEI certified lactation professional. She can assess nursing challenges related to oral restrictions (tongue and lip ties) impeding feeding and provide professional guidance so nursing stays sustainable for mom and baby. Early assessment and release of ties protects the infants nursing journey.  

Checking for Lip & Tongue Ties

Oral restrictions like lip and tongue-ties often worsen teeth misalignment later on. Our dentists check for a limited range of motion impeding feeding and speech development. Through laser-revisions, we can snip tight bands allowing healthier movement critical for hitting milestones.

Nutrition Counselling

Paediatric dentists can analyse diet and nursing/bottle feeding habits that protect or jeopardise your baby’s oral health. We provide nutritional counselling to promote healthy teeth based on age and needs. Tips to avoid baby bottle tooth decay are key as milk pools around teeth and gums which a child bottle feeds.

Injury Prevention

Little ones fall frequently or can hurt themselves while learning to walk/crawl. We discuss what to watch for – trauma causing tooth displacement or fractures. Treating major dental injuries early on results in better outcomes protecting smiles long-term.

Please call today to schedule your baby’s first dental visit with our dentist and give your tiny one the gift of great oral health for years to come! We look forward to meeting you!

FAQs

It’s recommended to schedule your baby’s first dental visit when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Early visits help in monitoring oral health development and getting guidance on proper care from a paediatric dentist.

During your baby’s initial dental visit, the paediatric dentist will examine their mouth, check for any emerging teeth, assess oral development, and provide guidance on proper cleaning techniques, fluoride needs, teething, and nutrition. This visit also allows parents to ask questions and address any concerns about their baby’s oral health. Read more-link page first dental visit

Watch for signs such as persistent irritability, difficulty eating or sleeping, swollen gums, unusual discoloration on teeth or gums, or any abnormalities in the mouth. If you notice any of these, consult your paediatric dentist promptly for evaluation and guidance.

As soon as the first tooth appears, begin brushing it twice a day with an infant toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). Use gentle circular motions and ensure all tooth surfaces are cleaned.

If your baby experiences a fall or injury to the mouth, check for any bleeding, swelling, or damaged teeth. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth. Contact your paediatric dentist immediately for guidance.