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When you have an infant crawling and climbing about your home, it’s easy to think of all the things you should do, stuff like blocking the stairs, putting locks on the cabinets, vacuuming up the dog hair more often, and myriad other things.

It’s easy to forget about the teeth.

People often think there’s nothing to do until the teeth start coming in, but you really need to start some care before then. Here are some tips from Dr. Egger, who has cared for generations of Mount Pleasant baby teeth.

Baby’s mouth

Regardless of if teeth have started to come in, all infants benefit from daily oral cleanings. Take a soft cloth, moisten it with warm water, and gently wipe your baby’s gums. This removes any residual formula or milk that would otherwise be prime areas for bacteria growth.

When the teeth do start coming in (this usually happens from 6 months to 3 years), this is the time to begin using a soft-bristle baby toothbrush with a small smear of child-safe fluoridate toothpaste to brush the gums and the new teeth. For children up to two years, this is the regimen. When he or she passes the age of 2, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is recommended.

When should I take the child to see Dr. Egger?

Now that the baby teeth are announcing their arrival, usually starting around 6 months, it’s time to bring the tot to see Dr. Egger, usually just before the child’s first birthday. This may seem early (what’s to do?), but it’s not. While there isn’t much to do such as cleaning or scaling teeth, Dr. Egger does a preventive checkup on everything visible. Don’t forget that even baby teeth can begin to decay, particularly if a bottle is left in the crib.

About that bottle

It may seem early to be overly concerned about infant dental care, but you’d be surprised at how many small children need their baby teeth treated for cavities. One culprit is a bottle left in the crib. When it’s nap time, don’t fill a bottle with juice and then place it in the crib to help the baby fall asleep. The sugary juice simply promotes tooth decay, especially when babies sometimes fall asleep sucking on the bottle. If your baby likes to have a bottle around to help them fall asleep, fill it with water instead of juice or formula. Try and keep juices to mealtimes, as the sugars will get naturally rinsed away by eating and saliva production in the child’s mouth.

Is it time for Dr. Egger to see your child? Call us at (989) 773-3560 to make an appointment.