Is there anything during my pregnancy I should be aware of for my baby’s teeth?

During pregnancy, hormone levels rise, which can contribute to gingivitis and advancing tooth decay. Studies have shown that serious gum disease may play a role in low birth weight and premature babies. Also, mothers with active cavities or gum disease will transmit those bacteria to their infants. This can lead to early childhood caries. Therefore, it is very important that you visit your dentist for regular cleanings if you are pregnant or planning a family.

At what age should my baby start teething?

Normally, a child’s first tooth erupts between 6-10 months. The following chart provides a guideline to what you can expect.

Primary Teeth Chart

Permanent Teeth Chart

Why are primary (“baby”) teeth important?

First of all, healthy teeth allow your child to eat well and maintain good nutrition for proper growth. Many of your child’s primary teeth will not be lost until 10 to 12 years of age. This means that if a primary molar needs to be extracted due to a large cavity, your child will be missing a tooth in that area until 6th or 7th grade.

Severe cavities affect the quality of a child’s life. Oral pain can lead to decreased or difficulty in eating as well as an inability to concentrate and learn in school. Often young children have a tough time expressing where they feel pain. Undiagnosed caries can quickly progress into a dental abscess with an infection. This means a trip to the emergency room and consequently, to the dental office for treatment. Early tooth extractions can affect speech and pronunciation as well as eating ability. Also, a child’s self-image can be affected by early loss of front teeth, potentially making a child more withdrawn and less willing to smile.

Finally, the primary teeth guide the eruption of the permanent teeth. Early primary tooth loss can cause shifting of the teeth and lead to crowding of the permanent teeth into adolescence and beyond.

When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?

As soon as you see the first tooth erupt, you should begin cleaning it with a damp cloth or gentle “baby” toothbrush, using only water or a small amount of non-fluoridated toothpaste. Clean the baby’s teeth every morning and every evening before bedtime. By developing these good oral hygiene habits early on, you will establish a routine for your child and make it possible for your child to live cavity-free.

What should I know about giving my baby a bottle?

It is important to only give your baby milk or water in the bottle. Avoid putting chocolate milk, soda pop, juices and even “all natural” fruit juices in the bottle, as they have high concentrations of sugar and acid. Sugar in a child’s diet, especially at an early age, can lead to early childhood caries (cavities) – pictured here

Once your child’s first tooth erupts, you should avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle or sippee cup. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weaning your child off the bottle completely by his/her first birthday. If your child cannot fall asleep without the bottle, it should only contain water. Taking precautions during your child’s infancy will lead to a healthier, happier, smiling toddler.

How does the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry define Dental Home?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) emphasizes the support for “the concept of a dental home for all infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. The AAPD encourages parents and other care providers to help every child establish a dental home by 12 months of age.” A Dental Home should provide:

• Comprehensive oral health care with emergency services as well as preventive services
• Comprehensive exam for oral diseases and conditions
• Customized preventive dental health program based upon a caries-risk assessment
• Anticipatory guidance regarding growth and development milestones and issues (such as teething, habits and injury prevention)
• Access for an acute dental trauma
• Information regarding proper oral care of the child: including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental and gingival disease
• Counseling on dietary practices
• Referrals to dental specialists as needed