Seeing your pediatric dentist before your baby’s first tooth erupts will help you prepare for that special moment. The changes you will face may be overwhelming at first, but you and your baby will surpass them. You must know what you can about your baby’s first tooth. If you want to find out about the essentials, here are the details from a pediatric dentist.
The first tooth often comes out at six months. It is still fine if the baby has it earlier or later. The eruption of the first tooth varies in children. The two bottom front middle teeth come out first. Then, the two top front middle teeth will follow. The side and back teeth will erupt next.
In some babies, teething symptoms show only when the first tooth erupts. Others do not feel any discomfort even when their teeth emerge. There are also babies who experience discomfort even before the first teeth erupt. Parents often become anxious when the teething symptoms start.
A teething baby will want to gnaw or chew on something. Expect the baby to become irritable, sleep less, pull on his or her ears, drool, and eat less. There may also be some swelling in the area where the first tooth would be emerging. Some babies have a low-grade fever as well.
Babies often have teething pain when the tooth starts erupting. Parents can soothe the pain by massaging the swollen gums with their clean fingers. A frozen washcloth or a cold, solid teething ring can also help ease the discomfort. Supervising the baby while eating a teething biscuit is ideal. The chunks breaking off are choking hazards. A pediatric dentist may recommend a weight-appropriate amount of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if the baby is over six months).
Fluoride is a natural mineral capable of preventing tooth decay. It makes the enamel strong enough to block the damaging effects of bacterial acids. Some areas have fluoridated tap water. Giving the baby some of the tap water in a sippy cup can introduce fluoride to the baby’s teeth.
A pediatric dentist can talk to the parent about protecting the child’s first teeth with a fluoride varnish. This varnish is a protectant against cavities. The attending pediatrician can apply this varnish. A baby, who has a pediatric dentist, can have the treatment at the clinic during the first dental visit.
The age for this visit varies. It depends on the parents and when the first teeth erupt. It is common to have the first dental visit by the baby’s first birthday. By age one, establishing a dental home routine is ideal. This means every member of the family must practice good oral care habits.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Manvel, TX
It can be challenging to deal with the emergence of the first tooth. Your child may or may not experience discomfort. You will have your pediatric dentist help your family power through this stage. Regular visits with your pediatric dentist can help your experience be more pleasant and stress-free.
Request an appointment or call Manvel Pediatric Dentistry at 832-645-2848 for an appointment in our Manvel office.
Dental injuries can be common during childhood, but prompt treatment from a pediatric dentistry professional can help restore your child's smile. It is important to have chipped, cracked, broken, or knocked-out teeth evaluated by a dentist, even if the patient is a child and only their baby teeth are affected.There are many types of dental…
One of the goals of pediatric dentistry is to make sure kids understand the value of oral health. This is possible with the help of parents or guardians. First-time parents can consult the pediatric dentist about what to do. If you want to know how to teach your kids proper oral hygiene habits, here are…
Dental injuries are relatively common in younger children. Many parents wonder if pediatric dentistry treatment is necessary, especially when it comes to baby teeth. However, many of these types of injuries require prompt evaluation from a dentist, even if the damage seems minor and there is no pain. Failing to have your child evaluated quickly…
