Among the many questions on a new parent’s mind is, “When will my baby’s first tooth come into place?” As you watch your infant grow and develop in every possible way, you can expect the first tooth to appear somewhere between the ages of 6 to 12 months. Once this happens, it’s essential to start thinking about the health of your baby’s smile. We specialize in providing dental care for children from infancy through adolescence and can provide the guidance and care required to help your kids enjoy optimal oral health.
Although getting a first tooth is an exciting and important milestone, it’s important to be aware that your baby may find the experience a little bit uncomfortable. As the baby teeth come into place, teething can make them feel irritable. They may be fussy, have trouble sleeping, not want to eat, and be drooling quite a bit. While you are powerless to speed up the process of teething, there are a few things that you can do to soothe your baby as their new teeth are erupting into place. Common approaches to helping your baby feel more comfortable while getting their new teeth include teething rings or a cold spoon or moist gauze rubbed over their gums.
Remember, once your child’s baby teeth start to appear, it’s also time to start to think about their dental health. In fact, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that infants see the dentist for their first dental exam within 6 months of getting his/her first tooth or by their first birthday. It’s worth noting that there are a multitude of dental considerations in a baby and growing child. In addition to wondering what to do about teething, parents need to know how to recognize and deal with harmful oral habits, how to establish good oral hygiene practices, the best way to prevent dental decay, what to do if your child injures their teeth, or if their dental and jaw development is progressing normally.
Of course, the best way to answer these questions and to make sure your child has a healthy smile is to start visiting with our office at an early age and to continue bringing your child in on a regular basis for routine care.
We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.
