Caring for Your Infant’s Teeth

Caring for a child’s teeth happens long before that first tooth actually comes in. As some parents have found, not taking the proper precautions during pregnancy and while nursing can create dental problems for their children. Along with caring for your child’s teeth after they come in, we will also address what mothers can do during nursing to prevent these problems.

While a mother is in the last half of her pregnancy, she should avoid using an antibiotic called tetracycline. This is a very common antibiotic, but it can cause discoloration of teeth. It should also be avoided while nursing a child for the same reason.

A child’s teeth will start to come through around the six-month mark of their life, but they will not need “normal” oral care during this time, meaning you will not be brushing or flossing while they are an infant. You will, however, have some special needs to consider that could impact the oral health of your baby.

Baby Bottle Decay

When babies are exposed to sugary drinks over time, baby bottle decay can happen. Sugars in formulas, fruit juices, and milk can linger in the child’s mouth around his or her teeth while the baby sleeps, causing tooth decay in both the upper and lower front teeth.

While some parents will put their baby down for a nap or for the evening with a bottle, it should not contain the drinks we mentioned above. Rather than milk, formula, or fruit juice, fill the bottle with water or consult your doctor for a recommended pacifier to use.

For mothers that are nursing, be sure to “clean” the baby’s teeth and gums after a feeding. This can be done easily by using a damp cloth or gauze pad to wipe the teeth and gums so there is no breast milk left lingering behind.

What About Fluoride?

Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and the proper amount of fluoride needed at this stage should be added to the local drinking supply. We recommend actually calling your local water company to ensure this is actually taking place. If there is not fluoride added to the local water supply, consult with your doctor and/or dentist to address this issue.

If you have a growing family, you know those dental bills can add up fairly quickly. If you need a family dental plan in New Hampshire we have plans available that can save you as much as 20 percent of your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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