About dental care for babies

What is dental care for babies?

Baby teeth are important because they allow an infant to eat a good diet, allow for proper jaw growth, give the face its form and appearance, assist in the formation of proper speech, and most important, act as "space savers" for adult teeth. Tooth decay in babies can lead to pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, and premature loss of teeth -- which can affect the development of permanent teeth. In addition, oral health problems in an infant's mouth, such as bleeding gums and cavities, increase the chance for these problems in permanent teeth. Good oral health habits -- started at an early age at home -- increase the chance for a healthy mouth during your child's young life and carry on through adulthood.

When to Start Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

It's a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums even before teeth emerge.

To clean your baby's mouth:

  1. Lay your baby in your lap with his or her head close to your chest.
  2. Gently, but firmly, rub a clean and damp piece of gauze or washcloth along both the upper and lower gums.
  3. Clean the gums at least two times a day -- after breakfast and after the last feeding of the day. Even better -- clean your baby's gums after every feeding.

What Is Teething?

Teething refers to the time when baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or primary teeth) appear. Generally, teething first occurs between 6 months and 24 months of age. While this process is uneventful in some children; for others, it causes quite a bit of discomfort and irritability.

What Are Symptoms of Teething?

Symptoms include:

  • Increased irritability
  • Placing objects or fingers in the mouth and biting down on them
  • Increased saliva or drooling
  • Loss of appetite or becoming choosy about foods
  • Tender and swollen gums
  • Rash on cheeks or redness in the area of the cheeks near the affected gums
  • Restlessness
  • Ear pulling, which may be a sign of teething or possibly an ear infection (make an appointment to have your child seen by your doctor or pediatrician)

Teething does not result in fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child experiences these problems, contact your doctor.

What are the symptoms for dental care for babies?

Teeth for babies play an important role in the overall development of their body. Baby teeth allow them to eat and chew the food items properly, it helps in development of the jaw, face gets its form and appearance, helps in forming proper speech, for adult teeth it acts as space savers, helps in talking more appropriately. Most of the time, development of permanent teeth is affected due to problems in baby teeth because of pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, premature loss of teeth. Dental care for babies is very important for proper development of permanent teeth. Teeth in babies begin to develop in 6-10 months. Baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth. For a few babies this may be harmful and irritating but few of the babies do not have any symptoms. Cavities are caused by the plaque. When a baby takes food, bacteria produces acid and this is harmful to teeth for babies. When a baby gets its first teeth, this process is known as teething. Symptoms for dental care for babies: When to start caring for the baby teeth is explained as follows-  When there is increase in irritability  Putting objects or fingers in mouth and biting on them Increase in saliva  Drooling Avoiding certain foods and taking no proper diet Swollen gums  Restlessness  In some cases, ear pulling. Crying increases Sore gums Trouble sleeping  Rashes on face  One cheek flushing  Mild temperature Increases biting Diarrhoea

What are the causes for dental care for babies?

Teeth for babies play an important role in the overall development of their body. Baby teeth allow them to eat and chew the food items properly, it helps in development of the jaw, face gets its form and appearance, helps in forming proper speech, for adult teeth it acts as space savers, helps in talking more appropriately. Most of the time, development of permanent teeth is affected due to problems in baby teeth because of pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, premature loss of teeth. Dental care for babies is very important for proper development of permanent teeth. Teeth in babies begin to develop in 6-10 months. Baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth. For a few babies this may be harmful and irritating but few of the babies do not have any symptoms. Cavities are caused by the plaque. When a baby takes food, bacteria produces acid and this is harmful to teeth for babies. When a baby gets its first teeth, this process is known as teething. Causes for dental care for babies: Usually, tooth decay is caused because of the accumulation of sticky plaque on the surface of the teeth. It is caused by bacteria. Foods that are rich in carbohydrates such as milk, soda, raisins, cake, fruit juices, candy, bread, cereals etc can cause dental problems for babies. These foods stay on the teeth of the baby for a long time which can lead to baby bottle tooth decay. This can cause the teeth to be discoloured, pocked, pitted.

What are the treatments for dental care for babies?

Teeth for babies play an important role in the overall development of their body. Baby teeth allow them to eat and chew the food items properly, it helps in development of the jaw, face gets its form and appearance, helps in forming proper speech, for adult teeth it acts as space savers, helps in talking more appropriately. Most of the time, development of permanent teeth is affected due to problems in baby teeth because of pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, premature loss of teeth. Dental care for babies is very important for proper development of permanent teeth. Teeth in babies begin to develop in 6-10 months. Baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth. For a few babies this may be harmful and irritating but few of the babies do not have any symptoms. Cavities are caused by the plaque. When a baby takes food, bacteria produces acid and this is harmful to teeth for babies. When a baby gets its first teeth, this process is known as teething. Treatment for dental care for babies: The best way to avoid dental problems in babies is to clean the gums before the teeth emerge. Cleaning of gums must be done at least twice a day and after every feeding with a damp piece of gauze or washcloth. Sugary food must be avoided and while at bed don't give bottles to babies. Various gels are available for dental care but these are generally not recommended because it may cause other side effects to babies. Unless and until your doctor suggest you, use only water on the toothbrush till 18 months.

What are the risk factors for dental care for babies?

Teeth for babies play an important role in the overall development of their body. Baby teeth allow them to eat and chew the food items properly, it helps in development of the jaw, face gets its form and appearance, helps in forming proper speech, for adult teeth it acts as space savers, helps in talking more appropriately. Most of the time, development of permanent teeth is affected due to problems in baby teeth because of pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, premature loss of teeth. Dental care for babies is very important for proper development of permanent teeth. Teeth in babies begin to develop in 6-10 months. Baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth. For a few babies this may be harmful and irritating but few of the babies do not have any symptoms. Cavities are caused by the plaque. When a baby takes food, bacteria produces acid and this is harmful to teeth for babies. When a baby gets its first teeth, this process is known as teething. Risk factors for dental care for babies: Factors that risk dental problems for babies mainly include consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Foods such as candy, cookies, cakes etc should be limited. Poor oral hygiene may also lead to dental problems in babies. Teeth and gums should be cleaned properly during bedtime which can reduce the risk of accumulation of plaque on the gums and can provide relief from pain, infection, etc

Is there a cure/medications for dental care for babies?

Teeth for babies play an important role in the overall development of their body. Baby teeth allow them to eat and chew the food items properly, it helps in development of the jaw, face gets its form and appearance, helps in forming proper speech, for adult teeth it acts as space savers, helps in talking more appropriately. Most of the time, development of permanent teeth is affected due to problems in baby teeth because of pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, premature loss of teeth. Dental care for babies is very important for proper development of permanent teeth. Teeth in babies begin to develop in 6-10 months. Baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth. For a few babies this may be harmful and irritating but few of the babies do not have any symptoms. Cavities are caused by the plaque. When a baby takes food, bacteria produces acid and this is harmful to teeth for babies. When a baby gets its first teeth, this process is known as teething. Cure/medications for dental care for babies: The best way to avoid dental problems in babies is to clean the gums before the teeth emerge. Cleaning of gums must be done at least twice a day and after every feeding with a damp piece of gauze or washcloth. Sugary food must be avoided and while at bed don't give bottles to babies. Various gels are available for dental care but these are generally not recommended because it may cause other side effects to babies. Unless and until your doctor suggest you, use only water on the toothbrush till 18 months.

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