Infant Dental Care
Coronado, CA
Watching your infant grow and develop is exciting. Just as it is essential to care for your child’s overall health, it is also important to care for their oral health from birth. A pediatric dentist can provide infant dental care that supports lifelong oral health.
Infant dental care is available at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. Our team will provide your child with the gentle, quality care they deserve. Call us at (619) 354-5136 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Tooth Cleaning Techniques for Infants
There is a myth that brushing an infant’s teeth is not necessary until the parent weans them. The truth is that dental care should start from birth. Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they help guide the eventual placement of permanent teeth. Baby teeth also support a healthy diet and speech development. Unfortunately, baby teeth are prone to decay. Regular brushing is essential to combat cavities.
Once teeth erupt, use a small soft-bristled brush. Gently clean the teeth and brush the gums. Even if an infant does not have any teeth yet, parents must still clean their mouth daily using sterile gauze or a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth or gauze, then gently wipe the gums. Giving infants a small amount of water to rinse their mouths after feeding may also prevent decay. Parents should consult our team for proper cleaning techniques and tips to keep infants healthy and safe.
“Regular brushing is essential to combat cavities.”
Understanding Childhood Tooth Development
During infancy, teeth erupt slowly. The first tooth usually appears around six to seven months. Teeth typically appear at the front of the mouth first, while molars are often last to erupt and may not arrive until a child is two to three years old. Children will begin to lose their baby teeth by six to make room for permanent teeth. As the baby teeth fall out, permanent teeth shift into place. Wisdom teeth are last to arrive, and they usually turn up around age 18.
Discovering new teeth can be exciting for parents and children. During this time, it is beneficial to reinforce the importance of dental hygiene. Newly erupted teeth need special care. As new teeth appear, parents should speak with our team about any changes a child may need to make, such as brushing or flossing more often. They might also need to avoid certain foods.
“Teeth typically appear at the front of the mouth first, while molars are often last to erupt and may not arrive until a child is two to three years old.”
Diet and Baby Bottles
Parents often let their child use a bottle or the breast as a soothing toy before bedtime. While this may seem harmless, it is important not to put a child to sleep directly after feeding. When children sleep with formula or milk in their mouth, bacteria can thrive and cause tooth decay. Mouth bacteria produce acid, which damages tooth enamel. To avoid decay, children should not go to bed with a bottle or sippy cup. Parents must also brush or rinse out their child’s mouth.
If a child is fussy, we recommend giving them a clean pacifier rather than the breast or bottle. Parents may also want to consider weaning the child by their first birthday. Making an early switch from formula to food might help prevent tooth decay. Parents can speak with our team for more information on this issue.
“When children sleep with formula or milk in their mouth, bacteria can thrive and cause tooth decay.”
Planning the First Dental Check-up
Once an infant’s first tooth has erupted, it is time for a dental visit. Parents should not hesitate to schedule an appointment. During the checkup, our team will examine the inside of the child's mouth, feel the gums, and examine new teeth. We will also ask questions about brushing habits, feeding, and pacifier use and provide parents with helpful tips about weaning or introducing solid food. Our team can also demonstrate brushing techniques and explain how to keep a child's teeth healthy.
Before leaving, parents will schedule another check-up for their child. While most children will have a regular check-up about every six months, some patients will require more frequent appointments depending on their oral health. These dental visits help children stay on track with their oral hygiene and develop a positive relationship with the dentist.
“Once an infant’s first tooth has erupted, it is time for a dental visit.”
How To Handle Teething
Infants will generally start teething around four to six months of age. Parents may notice that their child is cranky, fussy, or irritable. Some may also develop swollen cheeks or gums and drool more than usual or do a lot of chewing on their favorite toys. These are all signs that another tooth is on the way.
Rubbing the gums with a clean finger can help soothe them. Parents can also offer something cold to chew on, such as a chilled teething ring or a dampened cloth is a good choice. Every infant is different, and some infants may start teething earlier or later than usual. Early or late teething usually is not cause for concern but may influence their dental care plan. Our team can provide a more precise timeline for each patient.
“Early or late teething usually is not cause for concern but may influence their dental care plan.”
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Definition of Pediatric Dental Terminology
Dental Caries
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Checkup
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a thorough cleaning procedure that involves preventing the spread or continued growth of periodontal disease and gingivitis.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a solution of plastic material that we apply to the crown of the tooth to protect the areas within the ridges of teeth from infection.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Enamel
The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Primary Teeth
Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that begin to erupt around six months of age.
Tartar
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Teething
Teething is the emergence of the primary teeth through a child’s gums, usually around four to seven months of age.