The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents to bring their baby in for their first dental check-up around their first birthday or no later than six months after their first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. This helps to provide a solid dental foundation that will last well into adulthood.
Baby Teeth
Most often, you should see your baby’s first tooth between 5 – 8 months, typically in the bottom front of the mouth. It’s also possible for your baby to be born with teeth already. These are called natal teeth, and they can form under the gums before your child is born.
If you notice your baby’s teeth are coming in, it’s time to start practicing daily hygiene to eliminate toothaches, gum disease, and serious developmental and health problems down the road. This includes brushing and rinsing. Is this your first rodeo and you’re not quite sure how to handle this with such a young infant? Starting Point is here to help! Schedule your first appointment, and we will teach you how to properly care for your infants teeth, until they are able to start taking care of them for themselves.
Pain Relief for Teething Babies
Ugh! We know the teething phase can be a frustrating time for parents and babies. But in reality, most babies transition through this stage without too much hassle. The front teeth tend to be easier for both infants and parents. When the back teeth start to erupt however, your child may suffer from fevers, ear aches, and blood blisters. Don’t fret though! There are many ways you can alleviate the pains of teething to make your baby feel better.
First, start by introducing something cold to chew on. There are a lot of teething products on the market that you can put in the fridge to cool them off and provide relief for your baby. Over-the-counter children’s painkillers can also help with the pain, but be careful to never apply aspirin directly to the gums. This can burn the delicate tissues of the mouth and gums, leading to even more problems. The old tried and true method of rubbing a little drinking alcohol on your babies gums is not one we’d recommend though… Try some baby Orajel instead.
If your baby doesn’t respond to any of these suggestions, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. We’ll get to the bottom of the teething issues and make both baby, and parents, happy again!
Starting Point Dental is the starting point for healthy smiles. Our mission is simply to be the best in all areas of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in Overland Park and Kansas City. Contact our Kansas City pediatric dentist today.
