We love children!
Our ddentists at Clearwater Dental are dedicated to educating patients on proper infant oral care. They are here to answer any of your questions and instruct you on proper cleaning habits. If you are interested in learning more about how you can provide proper infant dental care in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, please contact our office at 715-514-5300, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Leslie Spangler or Dr. Aimee D'Amour.
At Clearwater Dental, we believe that healthy, natural teeth can last for a lifetime with proper care that begins at a young age. We look forward to working with you and your child to establish lifelong habits for a healthy smile!
Even before teeth appear, it is important to clean your infant’s mouth. All infants should have a daily oral cleaning. Using a soft, damp cloth, gently wipe your baby’s gums to remove any lingering milk/formula and to prevent bacteria buildup.
Your child’s 20 baby teeth will begin to appear usually between six and nine months of age, though in some cases it may start as early as three months or as late as twelve months. The two lower front teeth tend to erupt first, followed by the two upper ones. The first molars come in next, followed by the canines (eye teeth). The teething process can take 2-3 years for all teeth to erupt. Sometimes your baby can experience teething discomfort during this process. You can help him feel more comfortable by providing a chilled teething ring and by gently wiping the gums with a cold washcloth before and after meals.
Click this link to view a tooth development chart! https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/eruption-charts
As your child develops her teeth, we do not recommend a bottle of anything other than water at bedtime. Milk, juice and any other sweetened liquids have sugar that sit in the child’s mouth at night and can quickly lead to caries.
As soon as teeth begin to erupt, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with a small head to clean your infant’s teeth. A tiny smear of child-safe toothpaste is appropriate to use at this time. Around the ages of 3-6 (once the child can spit out excess toothpaste), use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste to clean your child’s teeth. Spit very well, but do not follow with a rinse of water. The goal is to keep a very small amount of fluoride on the teeth to reverse any early decay. A child’s teeth should be brushed at least twice per day. Flossing should begin when two side-by-side teeth erupt. We recommend that you brush and floss your child’s teeth for them until about age 7, when their motor skills have developed.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen by a dentist when their first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. Though this may sound early, learning proper pediatric oral hygiene techniques, checking for cavities, and watching for developmental problems is extremely important. We will also answer any questions you as a parent may have regarding your child’s teeth and how to keep them healthy. At this appointment, we start to develop trust and positive rapport with your child. We strongly believe that it is very important for your child to have a positive experience at the dental office as he or she will be a regular visitor for years to come!
We look forward to seeing you and your child at Clearwater Dental!
