Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a child sucks on fingers or...
eething, the process of baby (primary) teeth coming through the gums into the mouth, is variable among individual babies. Some babies get their teeth early and some get them late. In general the first baby teeth are usually the lower front (anterior) teeth and usually begin erupting between the age of 6-8 months. See “Eruption of Your Child’s Teeth” for more details.
One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth giving plaque bacteria...
The mouth is the gateway to the body! From the earliest times, the body is greatly effected by how we treat our teeth. Baby teeth (also known as Primary teeth) are essential in helping a child CHEW and SPEAK properly. A child’s teeth are also important in growth and development, as they assist the adult teeth in proper arrival and alignment. Pediatricians tell us that the NUMBER ONE MOST PREVALENT CHILDHOOD DISEASE IS TOOTH DECAY. It is also the...
It is important for your child to see a dentist with the arrival of the first tooth, or at least by age ONE. Why so soon? As they say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” We like to partner with you and your pediatrician as you begin to establish a dental home. It is also an important time for your child to begin to make connections with people who will care for him or her in the years...