Star Babies Dental Clinic is the FIRST and ONLY pediatric dental group serving the El Paso and Las Cruces region. The core mission of our facility includes preventing early childhood caries, providing babies the best possible start for Oral Health along with preventive education for the parents.
Even though baby teeth are temporary, they play important roles in facial development, chewing and speech. They also act as a guide for permanent teeth, helping them emerge in the right positions. You should start caring for your baby’s mouth even before teeth begin to show. Here’s how:
- Use a soft cloth or gauze sponge to wipe your baby’s gums.
- Prevent the transfer of bacteria to your baby’s mouth by never using your own mouth to clean pacifiers or test bottle temperature. Also avoid sharing silverware.
- Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed-time bottle.
Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease in the United States. But it can be reduced or even prevented with good oral care. Sugar, carbohydrates and plaque (a sticky substance that adheres to tooth surfaces) are the main causes of tooth decay. The risk of decay rises when sugar and carbs are consumed often, and when they remain in the mouth for long periods of time. Reduce this risk and keep your baby’s teeth healthy by following these tips.
DO …
- Brush baby teeth at least once a day
- Inspect your baby’s teeth regularly
- Limit sugar foods and drinks
- Encourage the drinking of milk and water only
- Try to break the bottle habit by age 1
- Schedule baby’s first dental checkup as soon as the first tooth appears
- Consider having your baby’s molars sealed
DON’T …
- Put baby to bed with a bottle
- Dip pacifiers in sugary substances
- Clean pacifiers by mouth
- Share silverware or other utensils
Healthy teeth should be all one color and mostly smooth around the edges.
A yellow or black band on the tooth’s surface closest to the gumline may indicate progression to decay.
Teeth that look brownish with unsmooth edges may indicate advanced decay.
Teething 101
Teething usually begins between 4 months of age. Teething can affect babies differently, there are a few items that the AAPD recommends to parents to help their babies with the discomfort and potential pain of teething:
* Give your baby a firm rubber teething ring to chew on. Avoid liquid-filled teething rings, or any plastic objects that might break.
* Gently rub the gums with a cool wet washcloth. You may place the wet washcloth in the freezer first but wash it before using it again.
* Feed your child cool, soft foods such as applesauce or yogurt (if your baby is eating solids).
* Topical pain relievers and medications that are rubbed on the gums are not recommended or even useful.
Brushing 101
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and our Pediatric Dental Team recommend that you clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth with water. As soon as teeth begin to appear:
- Brush twice daily with an age appropriate toothbrush
- Use a pea size amount of toothpaste for children between 2-5 years of age
- Help your little one brush and floss twice a day as they can’t effectively brush on their own