February is National Children's Dental Health Month. It is aimed to raise awareness about the importance of oral health in our children. We reached out to Drs. Lindsey and Mathew Battiste of Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry and Battiste Orthodontics to answer frequently asked questions of parents related to early dental care.
When should my child first see a dentist?
“First visit by first birthday” sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.
Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?
The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or using a bottle?
At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.
When should bottle-feeding be stopped?
Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?
Thumb sucking is a perfectly normal for infants; many stop by age 2. Prolonged thumb sucking can created crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age 3, a professional evaluation is recommended. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.
When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?
The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a very small “smear” of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.
Any advice on teething?
From six months to age 3, your child may have tender gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon or cold we washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring; others simply rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger.
About Schenectady Pediatric Dentisty
When it comes to your family’s oral health, never settle for anything less than exceptional. At Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry and Battiste Orthodontics, you can meet all of your family’s pediatric dental and orthodontic needs, with the continuity of care your family deserves, while using state of the art technology, such as our low radiation i-CAT 3D x-ray system!
With special training to meet the unique dental need of children and adolescents, Dr. Lindsey Battiste provides the preventive and restorative care your child needs to grow up with a healthy, happy smile. Our orthodontic specialist, Dr. Matthew Battiste, provides a wide range of orthodontic services from young patients in need of early interceptive treatment to professional adults looking to straighten their smile without sacrificing aesthetics by using Invisalign®.
Their Dental and Othodontic office is located at 1019 Keyes Ave. Schenectady.
About Schenectady Pediatric Dentisty
When it comes to your family’s oral health, never settle for anything less than exceptional. At Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry and Battiste Orthodontics, you can meet all of your family’s pediatric dental and orthodontic needs, with the continuity of care your family deserves, while using state of the art technology, such as our low radiation i-CAT 3D x-ray system!
With special training to meet the unique dental need of children and adolescents, Dr. Lindsey Battiste provides the preventive and restorative care your child needs to grow up with a healthy, happy smile. Our orthodontic specialist, Dr. Matthew Battiste, provides a wide range of orthodontic services from young patients in need of early interceptive treatment to professional adults looking to straighten their smile without sacrificing aesthetics by using Invisalign®.
Their Dental and Othodontic office is located at 1019 Keyes Ave. Schenectady.
You may call to set-up an appointment at 5186501753 or email at info@thetoothdoctors.com.
