Early Dental Care To Fight Cavities, For A Lifetime Of Healthy Habits
Early dental care helps establish healthy habits and supports the proper development of your child’s teeth, jaws, and other oral structures. Leading dental organizations suggest scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday. Willow Creek Dentistry in Rochester, New York, welcomes the opportunity to build trust and establish a comfortable, pleasant experience and relationship with our office. When children do not fear dental visits, they grow into adults with positive associations with dentistry. They are more likely to keep the check-ups that are so essential to our health and well-being.
When do children’s teeth form?
They actually start to form before birth. The primary (“baby”) teeth begin to erupt or push through the gums as early as 4 months of age. The first teeth that you may notice are the lower central incisors. The upper central incisors follow. The remaining primary teeth should usually emerge by age 3. The secondary or permanent teeth begin to appear around age 6, with the first molars and lower central incisors. The remaining teeth will continue to erupt until around age 21. The third molars (“wisdom teeth”) are the last to erupt.
How do I care for baby teeth?
As your baby’s first teeth emerge between 6 and 12 months, this teething process can cause persistent soreness and tenderness. Your baby may be more irritable or fussy than usual. We suggest rubbing their gums with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon, or a cool, wet, soft cloth to ease soreness. While teething rings can be helpful, it’s best to avoid teething biscuits because they often have a high sugar content and are not good for developing baby teeth. While cleaning your child’s gums, look for signs of baby bottle decay. This early decay is a leading cause of premature tooth loss. As your child’s teeth come in, pay special attention to the tongue side of the tooth. Look for dull or white spots and lines.
Why is it called baby bottle decay?
This form of tooth decay is associated with parents or caregivers who fill baby bottles with anything other than water. When these drinks are left in infants’ mouths while they rest, they can cause decay because the sugar in the liquid mixes with the natural bacteria in dental plaque. This combination forms destructive acids that attack protective tooth enamel. Whenever a child drinks sugary juices or other beverages (including milk), the acids in these beverages attack the teeth for about 20 minutes. Normally, saliva helps carry away the sugary liquid. But, during sleep, saliva flow diminishes significantly. Instead, the liquids pool around the teeth for a long time, allowing harmful acids to coat the teeth.
How can I prevent early tooth decay?
Do not breastfeed or bottle-feed sleeping infants. If your child needs a bottle to fall asleep comfortably, only fill it with water or provide them with a pacifier. Additionally, as your child grows, maintain a varied and nutritious diet that represents all of the food groups. Many “kid-friendly” snacks are sugary or starchy and tend to cause cavities, so reach for healthy, nutrient-dense veggies, yogurt, and cheeses that support strong teeth.
Why is it so important to keep temporary baby teeth?
Yes, baby teeth are temporary. They are also important. These teeth are integral to your child’s overall development. They need these teeth to establish healthy chewing and speech patterns. They also help the secondary teeth by guiding them into the right positions. For this reason, children who lose their baby teeth prematurely may need a special device, such as a space maintainer, to ensure there is enough room for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly. When maintainers are not worn, your child’s teeth may tilt toward the space, which can cause permanent teeth to grow crooked.
Willow Creek Dentistry in Rochester, NY, is dedicated to protecting your child’s oral health and instilling the good habits they will carry throughout their lives. Call (585) 889-2559 if your child is due for their check-up or if you have noticed anything unusual with your child’s mouth.
Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced team of dentists is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care backed by advanced training and ongoing education.
Together, our doctors bring decades of combined experience, advanced clinical training, and active involvement in professional organizations. Their shared commitment to continuing education and modern dentistry ensures patients receive the highest standard of care in a comfortable, trusted environment.
