Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Teething

Process

Executive Sumary about Baby Teeth by Keziah Engineer

The teething process can be a difficult period for both the baby and the parents. The process starts at different ages depending on each baby but usually by age of 3 most infants have their primary teeth in place. If by one year your baby still has not got his first tooth it would be wise to see your doctor and dentist.

There are 20 primary or “baby” teeth that every child has during their lifetime, with ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower. Usually, the appearance of baby teeth is as follows: the upper and lower incisors come first, then the upper lateral incisors come in a few months later, followed shortly thereafter with the bottom lateral incisors.

Usually there is no set order in which baby teeth appear - again this depends on the individual baby. Some babies can be born with a front tooth (this happens in about 1 in every 2000 cases).

Here are the signs that your baby may be teething:

1. Bulging gums - you’ll be able to see the outline of the teeth as they try and push through his gums.

2. “Clingy” behaviour.

3. Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.

4. Swollen, red, inflamed gums.

5. Poor appetite.

6. Interrupted sleep.

You can gently massage your baby to reduce the discomfort of teething - clean your fingers and rub the gums firmly - this may be uncomfortable for your baby initially but she will get used to, and appreciate, the massage the more you do it.

Give your baby something cool to chew on - this again provides relief for a little time. Other things that your baby can chew on include a chilled banana or an iced Popsicle. An old wives tale remedy recommends that you dab some alcohol on your baby’s gums - it is strongly recommended that you do NOT do this.

While primary teeth will at one stage be replaced by the permanent teeth, they are very important for several reasons - including chewing and speech. Once these teeth are in, you can clean them with a special baby toothbrush.

Be sure to never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle. This will lead to tooth decay. Whether a baby is bottle fed or nursed, he will be vulnerable to “baby bottle tooth decay”. Such decay occurs when freshly sprouted baby teeth are exposed to liquids containing sugars (basically, anything other than water) for long periods of time.

Bacteria in the mouth will grow in the sugar, which attack the tooth enamel and cause cavities. The best treatment for “baby bottle tooth decay” is prevention. Also, be sure to gently clean his teeth and gums after each feeding.

Here are some good tips to use to care for your baby’s teeth:

1. Clean your baby’s mouth before the teething process.

2. In addition you should monitor your baby’s fluoride intake as this can help prevent tooth decay.

3. Creating good dental practice from the start will help ensure that you baby continues good dental hygiene for years into the future.

Dental Care - How Early Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?

Executive Sumary about Baby Teeth by Eriani Doyel

Many people are waiting too long to begin dental care for their children. Twenty percent of children have their first cavity before age five, and many have more than one cavity-50 to 70 percent of children will have at least one cavity in their grade school years.

Proper dental care can begin before an infant gets his/her first tooth.

Infant Dental Care:

1. Do not ever put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or formula because the milk stays on the gums and teeth.

2. Once the infant gets their first tooth, you can practice proper dental care by brushing their teeth with a soft tooth brush and infant toothpaste.

3. Soon after the baby gets their first tooth, make an appointment to see the dentist.

Children:

1. Supervise your child’s brushing until they are at least 6 years old.

2. As your child starts getting permanent teeth, they should begin flossing with adult assistance.

3. If a tooth gets knocked out, take the child and also the tooth if you have it, to the dentist.

Tags : babies teeth, baby teeth, baby teething, lose baby teeth
Categories : Baby