Pediatric Smiles of Bloomington Blog

Everything that comes into contact with your teeth can affect their health. While some of these dietary items may be well-known, others could surprise you. Here are 5 dietary choices that could harm your child’s teeth.

Parents know the importance of brushing. They begin brushing their baby’s teeth the first moment they break through the gums and teach their children the importance of brushing their teeth later on. The importance of flossing, however, often goes overlooked. Flossing out food particles between teeth can polish the sides of the tooth and irreversible tooth decay. But how soon should a child be flossing? And how can parents instill the behavior?

Teeth should be cleaned from the moment they first appear in a child’s mouth. For teething infants, this job is up to the parents. But when can the parents pass the job onto the child? Let’s look at a quick overview of brushing habits throughout the early years and when children can take on the task themselves.

Most people understand the importance of keeping your teeth healthy. It prevents cavities and helps keep your teeth in your mouth for years to come. Here are some tips to help your child keep up with their dental health.

"Preventative care" is a kind of catch-all term for the daily habits you undertake to maintain your oral health. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, and limiting your intake of certain acidic and sugary foods and beverages.

Whether you’re a new or repeat parent, one of the major milestones you can expect from your child’s development is the appearance of baby (or primary) teeth. While the time it takes for baby teeth to appear, also called “tooth eruption,” can vary for every child, it’s something that most parents can expect to happen within the first year of their child’s life.

The eruption of a child’s first primary tooth is a major event for both the child and their parents. The first tooth is significant because it signals the incoming of the rest of the baby teeth, permanent teeth, and wisdom teeth at last. While the baby teeth may start coming in early for some children--before the 6 month mark--and late for others--after 8 months or even past the first birthday--the adult teeth will take quite a lot longer to erupt.

It’s no secret that most, if not all, children will suck their thumb at one point or another during their early years of life. It can be calming and comforting for young children and infants especially, and it may also help babies fall asleep without the use of a pacifier. This behavior can be completely harmless while your child is still young, specifically before they begin to erupt their first teeth. However, the longer this habit persists, there is a higher likelihood for repercussions that can last your child years and not be easily correctable. Here are 4 explanations of these consequences.

It may not be too surprising to know that your pediatric dentist will be able to answer all of your questions regarding oral care for your infant or young child. Just like a general dentist, a pediatric dentist is certified to work on your teeth and gums, as well as provide medical advice regarding oral health. However, a pediatric dentist is specially equipped to care for younger patients. Pediatric dentists must have an additional 2-3 year residency program that involves care with babies, children, and adolescents, giving them the qualifications necessary to answer questions specific to the growing needs of your child’s oral health.

Being a new parent presents many challenges, from feeding to changing to healthcare, and even oral care. There’s a lot to learn, and it’s okay to ask questions along the way. While you may not always be able to turn to a grandparent or partner for advice, you can always turn to a professional for information on your child’s needs. Your child’s pediatric dentist can answer quite a lot for you, and they likely know what you may have questions about. Here are a few questions that might come up on (or before) your first visit to the pediatric dentist.