Did you know that August 22, 2021 marks National Tooth Fairy Day? In honor of this fun observance, we thought it was only fitting to talk about our patients who she visits. The children who come to Crown Dental often begin their oral health journey even before their first tooth comes in.  

According to The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should see the dentist by the time they turn 1 year old or after their first tooth erupts, which often occurs around six months. 

Good oral hygiene habits, supported by regularly scheduled cleanings, will help keep the Tooth Fairy’s visits in check, ensuring your child’s smile stays strong and healthy. 

What can I do to ensure my child has healthy teeth and gums?

According to the CDC, 1 in every 5 children will develop a cavity that results in an untreated decayed tooth. This common disease can affect the child’s eating, speaking, and learning. In order to avoid this, it is good to get a jump on your child’s dental health even before they are aware of how important it is.

For babies, obviously, with a lack of teeth, you may find yourself thinking there is not much to do. However, some steps can be taken to get in a good routine for your child’s benefit. 

• Wipe down the gums in the morning, at night, and after feedings. This can help brush away bacteria and sugar that would otherwise be sinking into the gum line. 
• When teeth begin to come in, gently brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day. For starters, just use water. This is a healthy habit to get into and helps the child learn the importance of brushing from the beginning!
• Schedule an appointment with a dentist before your child’s first birthday. This appointment will potentially catch any issues your child may have very early on, so that a plan for treatment or prevention can be established right away. 

Some of the potential worries that might be caught at that first visit could be spacing problems in the teeth, as well as things like underbites or overbites. 

When those first teeth start to emerge, help your child with brushing, by using a very small amount of toothpaste (think pea-sized). By the time your child turns three, they can graduate to a larger amount of toothpaste in order to prevent cavities. Always assist your child until they are old enough to know not to swallow large amounts of toothpaste. 

Starting to see signs of your baby’s first tooth? Contact us to schedule an appointment!