What Most First-Time Parents Don’t Know About Their Child’s Oral Health

With the many learning curves that come with raising a tiny human for the first time, most inexperienced new parents don’t give a whole lot of thought to their baby’s oral health care needs, at least not until teething begins. 

But when it comes to laying the foundation for a lifetime of optimal oral health, being “in the know” about what you should be doing for your child’s dental care — and when you should be doing it — is always better than having to catch up after the fact. 

As a full-service family dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Ben Peterson at High Desert Dental in Ontario, Oregon is here to help. Read on as he discusses common oral health care mistakes and misconceptions first-time parents tend to be prone to, and learn how you can avoid making the same missteps.

Yes, even babies can get cavities

One of the most common myths about pediatric oral care is that it doesn’t begin until teeth start erupting. Indeed, many first-time parents don’t give much thought about their baby’s oral health until they’re actively teething, and then, most don’t think care is required until teeth are fully erupted and visible above the gumline. 

On the contrary, your baby’s gums can harbor sugar from breastmilk or formula along with harmful bacteria that may lead to dental decay below the gumline if you don’t wipe them clean regularly with a damp washcloth. 

Daily brushing should begin as soon as your baby gets teeth. Using an infant toothbrush, water, and a very tiny amount (about the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste that carries the American Dental Association’s seal of acceptance, gently brush their teeth and gums twice a day: once in the morning and again before bedtime. 

And no matter what, don’t get into the habit of putting your baby to bed with a bottle. When babies fall asleep with sugars from breast milk, formula, or juice on their teeth, it has plenty of time to eat away at their tooth enamel and cause “bottle mouth” or “baby bottle tooth decay.”

Happy first birthday — it’s time to see the dentist 

Accurate timing of their baby’s first dental visit is one thing many first-time parents are unsure about. But while more than half of new moms and dads believe their child’s first dental visit should happen after they turn two years old, the right time for a first pediatric dental appointment is actually much sooner. 

Ideally, your baby’s first dental appointment should be soon after their first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday — whichever comes first. During this early "well baby checkup" for their teeth and gums, Dr. Peterson can look for cavities and other problems, show you how to clean your baby’s teeth properly, and help you get a handle on problematic dental habits like thumb sucking.

Most kids take years to master brushing

While the average first-time parent does expect to be brushing their toddler’s teeth, they’re often surprised at how long they have to continue supervising their child’s brushing as they get older. But thorough brushing isn’t as easy to master as it seems — even kids who are enthusiastic about brushing often need years to hone their skills.   

From the appearance of their first tooth through two years of age, you’ll be brushing your child’s teeth for them. Between three and six years of age, give your child a toothbrush made for their age and mouth size, and make sure they use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when they brush each morning and before bed. 

Supervise their brushing, reminding them not to swallow the toothpaste, and help them when they’re not as thorough as they should be. You should also be helping them floss their teeth once a day at these early childhood ages. 

Most kids need continued help and supervision while brushing through eight years of age. This is also about the time that most kids become more capable of flossing on their own.  

Dental checkups should happen twice a year

Over one third of first-time parents believe children between the ages of 3 and 12 only need to see the dentist once a year for a professional cleaning, exam, and cavity check. As the foundation of preventive dentistry and optimal oral health for life, these visits are a key part of your child’s overall wellness, and should happen twice a year, or once every six months.   

Having regular cleanings, exams, and X-rays as well as fluoride treatments and sealants is the best way to prevent dental problems, spot decay early and treat it before it turns into a major issue, and provide early assessment and treatment for bite misalignment concerns. 

If it’s time for your child’s next (or very first) dental exam, call or click online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Peterson today.