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Starting in the womb When it comes to children's dental health, the best possible time to start the care and feeding of your baby's mouth is while you are pregnant. At around three weeks, before you are even sure you are expecting, your baby's mouth begins to form. During week five or six, the "buds" that develop the primary (baby) teeth appear. At birth, your baby has a full set of primary teeth under the gums as well as a set of permanent teeth in varying stages of development. The baby teeth start to emerge between six and 12 months. A baby's smile lets you see when your baby's teeth should appear. You can expect all your baby's teeth by two to three years. Prevention that begins at the very beginning increases the odds that your baby's teeth will be healthy for a lifetime. Precautions for Expectant Moms: A woman's gum tissue changes during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a surge of hormones (mainly estrogen), creates an increase in the plaque build-up on the teeth. The tissue in the lining of the uterus is almost identical to the tissue in the mouth. When one changes, so does the other. If the pregnancy plaque isn't removed, it may cause a gum condition called Pregnancy Gingivitis. The more infected your gums and teeth become, the greater the chances are that bacteria will travel through your blood-stream to your fetus. This causes an immune response that damages the tissues in the placenta and sometimes prompts premature labor and/or a lower birth-weight baby. The best ways to care for your teeth Keep teeth clean particularly around the gum line. Brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss three times (or more) a when possible. Continue regular dental visits throughout your pregnancy. X-rays are not recommended. If an emergency makes x-rays necessary, be sure to wear the lead apron. If you have any questions concerning x-rays, consult immediately with your physician. Birth to three years: your baby When you take care of Mama's teeth you also take care of baby's teeth. your newborn could be just a kiss away from catching your decay or gum infection. Remember decay and gum disease are transmissible. Without meaning to you can spread bad bacteria to your newborn's mouth. Baby's tooth care A new baby's mouth care should begin within the first few days after he or she is born. Plaque and bacteria will begin to collect on the baby's gums after every feeding. Get off to a good healthy start. put your clean fingers in baby's mouth and massage the gums and cheeks. Also limit juice drinks to 10 percent or less of the baby's diet. Juice encourages tooth decay, also known as Baby Bottle Mouth Syndrome. When baby teeth start pushing through the gums, teeth symptoms may include restlessness, drooling, irritability, loss of appetite, or sporadic crying. It helps to keep baby's mouth clean. Use a damp towel and gently massage the gums. This will relieve some of the teething discomfort. Also, try a chilled teeth toy or teething gel. Age three: First trip to the dentist Because you want your child's dental visits to be pain-free and fun, the next-best time to bring baby to the dentist is at age three. At this age, thanks to your early home care prevention efforts, baby's teeth and gums should be decay and disease free. The first appointment can be a happy visit. It should begin what can be a lifetime of favorable dental experiences. The first appointment also gives you a feel for whether the dentist is a good match for your child prior to the time when any dental work may be necessary.If, after the initial visit you are uncomfortable with the dentist, continue your search. Three to six years: The Growing Years At age three, kids start to have minds of their own. Usually by this age, they have firm opinions about doctor visits and what foods they will eat. If the child has been to the dentist prior to this age, he or she should have no fear or frustration about dental appointments. On the other hand, if at this age he or she is going to the dentist for the first time, the situation may not be easy. Anything the child hasn't already been trained to do (such as potty training, going to bed on time, or taking medicine) takes a lot of extra effort from parents. Now, you can add going to the dentist to that list. By age six, your child's jaws are growing to make room for the permanent teeth. The first permanent molars usually erupt between ages five and seven. These molars are especially important because they help determine the shape of the lower face. | ||||||
