Dental Care for Children
Do know that good oral health habits begin before your child even has a tooth? Good dental care for children can set them up for a lifetime of good dental health.
Baby Teeth
Baby teeth will often begin to erupt between four and 12 months. Until these teeth erupt, you can wash your babyís gums with a clean, soft cloth. As your baby begins to teeth, he or she may experience pain or discomfort. Your baby may be irritable or unable to sleep, or he or she may run a fever or drool excessively. Ease the discomfort with gum massage, teething rings, or cold washcloths.
Our dentist may also suggest a mild painkiller to ease severe discomfort. Even though these teeth will eventually fall out, they play an important role in maintaining the spaces the permanent teeth will occupy. Brush them twice daily until your child can brush them on his or her own, and supervise brushing until good habits are established.
Thumb Sucking
Sucking a thumb or pacifier is an extremely common comfort mechanism for children under the age of three. Thumb sucking has even been observed in ultrasound images. While it is perfectly normal, it can cause dental problems if it persists beyond a certain point. Most children stop comfort sucking on their own. If your child persists, our dentist may be able to help him or her discontinue the habit.
Permanent Teeth
Permanent teeth will generally erupt between six and 13 years of age. If misalignments are present, our dentist may suggest braces or orthodontic treatments, since misalignments are often easier to correct at an earlier age.
Contact our dental office today to make an appointment with our Los Angeles dentist.