Common Dental Problems For Babies And Toddlers - What Parents Should Consider

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Parents always want what's best for their children, especially when it comes to their health. As babies and toddlers begin to grow, it's imperative that parents pay close attention to their child's dental health. As the child's teeth come in, several dental issues should be monitored, so these problems won't carry into their pre-teen and teenage years.

Teething
Careful observation is needed when a child begins teething. You should start seeing your child's first tooth coming in between 6 to 12 months. Excessive pacifier use may cause teeth to grow in awkwardly. Chilled teething rings can often soothe the baby's gums and are recommended. Steer clear of teething biscuits that often contain sugar. This could potentially cause a problem with your baby's incoming teeth.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child falls asleep with a milk or formula-filled bottle in his/her mouth. The sugar in the liquid causes acids to attack the tooth enamel, which can eventually lead to decay. Many times, a baby just needs a bottle to fall asleep, so it's more advantageous to give the child a bottle filled with water to avoid possible tooth decay.

Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a natural habit for babies and toddlers. Parents should not become alarmed if their baby or toddler begins sucking his/her thumb, as long as this action stops before the age of 5. By age 5, the baby teeth may start to fall out. Thumb sucking can lead to the permanent teeth coming in improperly, which may result in protruding teeth or bite problems. Talk to your pediatric dentist if your child's thumb sucking habit has not subsided by age 5.

Cavities
Once a child has teeth, it's natural to be concerned with cavities. Toddlers are very likely to enjoy sweets, which can cause tooth decay and cavities. Low amounts of fluoride in a child's drinking water can make them more vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities. Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits at this young of an age can only help them stave off cavities and keep them out of the dentist's chair.


About the Author:
To learn more about teeth whitening near Washington DC and sedation (sleep) dentistry near Washington DC, it is important to visit a cosmetic dentistry office serving Fairfax and Arlington.



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