If you’re a new parent, you have a lot to think about. Keeping your baby healthy is a big job filled with diaper changes, feedings, and visits to the pediatrician. There are so many responsibilities, and Brett Blacher, DDS is here to help with an important one!
Pediatric dental care may not be the first thing on your mind, but keeping your baby’s mouth healthy is essential to their overall health. It’s also important to visit a dentist early to start an oral care routine, and establish a dental home where your child feels comfortable. Dr. Brett Blacher is a leading dentist in Lombard, IL who can take care of your entire family’s dental care needs.
When Should My Baby First See The Dentist and What Can I Expect?
The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child see the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts. This usually happens between 6 and 12 months of age. As soon as you see that first baby tooth, it’s time to give Dr. Blacher a call.
The initial dental appointment for your child will be quite simple. Dr. Blacher will examine all of their teeth to ensure that they are growing in properly. He will also ask questions about your child’s oral health and help you understand how to avoid damaging habits, such as thumb sucking.
He’ll discuss your child’s nutrition and how it affects their oral health, along with other topics that will help you keep your baby’s teeth happy while they are growing in. Then, you’ll schedule another 6 month follow-up appointment for a dental cleaning and oral exam.
Routine visits with Dr. Blacher are important because they help our team keep track of your child’s oral health and ensure that their teeth are developing properly. In addition, your child will become comfortable with the process of visiting the dentist, reducing the odds of developing dental anxiety later in life.
How Should I Care For My Child’s Teeth At Home?
Oral care routines depend on the age of your child. Here’s what you need to know about caring for your child’s teeth from birth to the age of six.
- Pre-teething (0-6 months) – You should clean the gums of your child with a cloth or piece of gauze post bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, to remove bacteria. Repeat this process at least twice a day.
- Teething (6 months-3 years) – When your child’s first baby tooth comes in, it’s time to start brushing. Using a baby toothbrush with a small head, scrub the teeth with a tiny smear of fluoridated toothpaste that’s about the size of a grain of rice. Repeat at least twice a day, ideally after meals.
- Post-teething (3-6 years) – After the age of 3, most kids will have all of their primary teeth (baby teeth). You can start using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, as your child will be able to spit it out and avoid swallowing the paste.
You will usually need to continue brushing your child’s teeth until the age of 6, or when they have enough fine motor control to tie their own shoes.
Things get easier after 6! By this point, your child can brush on their own, though you should still monitor their brushing habits to be sure they are brushing correctly and regularly.
Come To The Office Of Brett Blacher, DDS – Your Home For Pediatric Dentistry In Lombard!
Dr. Brett Blacher has years of experience working with children and families in Lombard. At our family and cosmetic dentistry practice, we focus on delivering excellent preventive care in a friendly environment.
Contact us today at (630) 916-0701 for your baby’s first appointment, or feel free to drop by our office at 450 E. 22nd St., Suite 201, Lombard, IL 60148. We look forward to meeting you and your little one soon.
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