When it's time to plan for a baby, new parents often scour the internet and find many books at the bookstore to learn how to care for their new little one. There's a lot to learn for new parents, from how to soothe your new baby, to how to sneak in a few minutes of sleep as a new parent, and how to keep them healthy and growing.
We've assembled a list of oral health tips from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to help get your child's oral health started on the right path:
Schedule your child's first dental appointment at about the time they turn one year old.
Make sure you take extra care when selecting a good family dentist or pediatric dentist for your child's first visit. Much of their first experiences with a dentist will determine their comfort level and relationship with their dentist later on.
If you see spots on your baby's teeth, take them to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
Often, the first sign of a dental cavity for a baby is a little white spot on a baby's tooth. Dentists will usually attempt to remineralize the tooth to save and protect it.
Avoid a bottle at bedtime.
Many parents try to soothe their child when it's time to go to sleep by giving them a bottle of milk or juice. However, milk and juice contain sugars which can cause tooth decay, pain, and infections if left with a child while they sleep.
Don't give a baby juice until they're 6 months old.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends no more than 4-6 ounces of juice per day, and no juice until a child is at least 6 months old.
Your pediatrician or pediatric dentist can make safe fluoride recommendations for your child.
Parents concerned about their child's fluoride intake are encouraged to talk to their pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Clean your baby's pacifier with water. Don't use your saliva.
As your baby starts learning how to throw their pacifier across the room, you may be tempted to rinse the pacifier off with your own saliva. This can be unhygienic for you and your baby. Instead, use water to rinse off the pacifier.
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Image Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry