Did you recently add a new member to your family? Congratulations! Amid the new routine of nap times, feeding schedules, and doctor’s appointments, it can feel a bit like your world has been turned upside down. Fortunately, knowing all the facts about nursing and oral health can make caring for your child’s growing smile much more stress-free. With this in mind, here’s what you need to know about dentistry for infants.
#1. Even Babies Can Get Cavities
Despite popular belief, children and adults aren’t the only populations that are vulnerable to tooth decay. As soon as your child’s first tooth emerges, it can develop a cavity. The good news is that this serious dental problem is largely preventable with the right best practices in place. So, make sure to talk to their pediatric dentist about how to keep their teeth healthy throughout the years.
#2. Breastfeeding Can Help Reduce the Risk of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Have you heard of “baby bottle tooth decay?” Essentially, this term refers to the phenomenon where babies who are put to bed with a bottle often end up developing cavities. For this reason, breastfeeding can be beneficial. However, if bottle feeding is the right choice for you and your family, that’s okay too. Just make sure to wipe down their gums before they drift off to sleep or put them to bed with water, not milk.
#3. You Don’t Have to Wean When Your Baby Gets Teeth
Many nursing parents assume that the emergence of their child’s baby teeth is a signal that it’s time to start weaning. In reality, that’s not the case! In fact, the World Health Organization encourages moms to breastfeed for the first two years, and your baby will certainly have teeth by that time. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and what you think is best for your family. But if you want to keep breastfeeding, don’t let the emergence of a few teeth stop you.
#4. Taking Care of Yourself Is Important
As a new parent, you may naturally fall into the habit of not caring for yourself like you once did. After all, who has the time, right? However, it’s important to remember that neglecting to care for yourself can negatively impact your little one. For example, if you don’t brush and floss daily, then you can develop a cavity and transfer the bacteria to your baby’s mouth. So, set aside some time to pamper yourself too. Even if it’s just 5 minutes to brush, floss, and rinse your face.
Welcoming a child into your home is an adjustment. Hopefully, you can use the above facts to your advantage to care for their growing smile without too much stress!
About the Practice
Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is led by a skilled orthodontist and pediatric dentist! As a result, we can help parents keep their little one’s smiles in pristine condition, starting from their very first appointment at 12 months old. As they grow, we can monitor their development and even intervene with braces if necessary. That way, we can ensure their teeth and bite are healthy throughout their childhood! To learn more about nursing and oral health or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (603) 880-5002.