Four Things Parents Must Know About Infant Dental Care

Groat Pediatric Dentistry loves forging relationships with children and treating them like ours. We’d love your child to grow up knowing our San Pedro, California, office as their dental home, where they feel comfortable and relaxed when receiving the best dental care.

We treat children of all ages, including infants. Dr. Christopher Groat and the team understand the importance of infant dental care in your child’s oral health. Visit us to learn more about better and modern ways of caring for your child’s teeth and gums.

What you need to know about infant dental care

Receiving appropriate dental care from an early age can prevent numerous oral health problems. Stick around to learn more about caring for your infant’s smile.

1. Oral hygiene at home matters

Baby teeth start coming in around six months. But even before your child’s teeth break through the gums, you should clean your baby’s gums with a damp, clean cloth. Wiping gums, especially before naps, prevents the accumulation of sugars in the mouth to keep harmful bacteria in check.

When the first tooth erupts, brush it gently with clean water. As more teeth come in from age two, you can clean them with a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, and encourage your child to spit it. Your child can brush independently from age six but needs your continued guidance.

In addition to good oral hygiene, reinforce good dietary choices in your children because overconsumption of sugary foods can cause tooth decay. Encourage your child to eat healthy snacks, including cheese, fruits, nuts, etc.

2. Baby teeth matter!

Although baby teeth are temporary, they are vital in your child’s oral development. They help in eating and speaking and act as placeholders for the healthy eruption of adult teeth. Even though primary teeth will eventually fall out, it’s important to care for them to prevent premature loss properly.

3. Dental check-ups are a no-miss

We love to see children within six months of their first tooth coming in but not later than their first birthday. After your infant’s first dental visit, you should bring them to us every six months. Regular check-ups help us monitor your child’s oral development and detect and treat oral issues before they advance and become costly and painful.

4. Watch out for thumb-sucking!

Thumb sucking is a common and natural reflex for babies and young children to provide comfort and security. However, prolonged thumb sucking beyond a certain age can become a concern and can lead to dental and developmental issues. Many kids naturally stop thumb-sucking by age four. If your child continues this habit beyond this age or when their permanent teeth start to come in, it may be time to address it. Prolonged thumb sucking can cause misaligned teeth, narrowed palate, and speech problems.

Do you need pediatric dental care?

We prefer to start seeing kids when they are still very small. However, beginning a regular dental care regimen is never too late if your child is older and hasn’t seen a pediatric dentist. Make an appointment with Dr. Groat and the team at Groat Pediatric Dentistry, San Pedro, CA, by calling (310) 832-5133. We also serve the surrounding cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Carson, CA, Gardena, CA, Long Beach, CA, Signal Hill, CA; Harbor City, CA, Torrance, CA, Redondo Beach, CA, Lawndale, CA; Palos Verdes Estates; and Rolling Hills, CA.

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