Baby Teeth: When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist Posted on 5/15/2020 by Sundberg Office Nothing is cuter than seeing your baby with their very first teeth. However, these teeth also require good oral care to keep them healthy and strong.Most parents think that babies don't require a visit to the dentist. However, proper dental care for your infant is more important than ever. At PDX Center for Dentistry, Samuel Seo, DMD and Dr. Seo can educate parents on how to take care of their child's first teeth.
When Can You Expect your Baby's First Tooth to Come In?
At birth, a baby's primary 20 teeth are already present in their jaw and are just waiting to emerge. Your child's first tooth will erupt around 6 months to 1 year of age. By the time they are three, your child will have a full set of their milk teeth. Typically, you can expect the top and bottom incisors to appear first in your child's mouth.While your baby is teething, they will experience sore gums and discomfort. To ease the pain, you can rub your child's teeth gently with your clean finger or a pad of wet gauze. You can also let your child have a teething ring to chew on. If your child won't stop crying, it is a good idea to give us a visit at PDX Center for Dentistry.
When Should You Take Your Child to Their First Dental Appointment?
You should bring your child to visit us once their first tooth comes in and no later than their first birthday. At this age, Samuel Seo, DMD and Dr. Seo will only give your baby's teeth a wellness checkup. Besides checking for signs of decay or other oral issues, we can also guide you on how to properly clean your child's teeth and manage habits like thumb sucking.
Why Baby Teeth Matter
Your child's primary teeth are very important for their oral health and can help him chew their favorite food, speak, and smile. They are also placeholders for when the permanent adult teeth arrive. If your child's baby teeth become infected, the infection can spread to the adult teeth growing behind the primary ones. If your child loses a tooth, it can cause shifting of the remaining teeth and block the permanent tooth from coming out properly. This can result in crooked or crowded teeth. That's why it is important to take care of your baby's teeth from the get go. If you are anxious about your child's first visit to the dentist, don't be. At PDX Center for Dentistry, Samuel Seo, DMD or Dr. Seo are experienced in taking good care of your child's oral health without letting them experience any pain. If you want to schedule an appointment, call us at (503) 546-9079 today.