Most babies will develop teeth between 6 and 12 months. But how do you take care of them once they arrive? Here are three things you should know about your baby’s teeth.

Add Fluoride Early

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by hardening the enamel of teeth. Fluoride is added to most tap water and giving your baby just a few ounces a day will suffice. Add fluoride to your child’s diet at 6 months of age. Once you notice a tooth, you should brush it while using only a small dab of fluoride toothpaste.

Don’t forget to floss! Practicing flossing baby teeth is a great way to get into the habit.  They’re often much easier to floss than permanent teeth and will help create healthy habits for your child.

Watch Out for Decay

The term “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay” refers to decay that occurs from sugary drinks fed to babies and toddlers in bottles. In order to avoid this, children should only drink water or milk in bottles. Additionally, bottles should be set aside before naptime. Decay can happen as soon as teeth first appear – even in baby teeth. So, as soon as the first baby teeth appear, it's time to start brushing.

Teeth Affect Speech

Did you know keeping your child’s teeth healthy also impacts their speech development? This is particularly true when children are just learning to talk, as whatever baby teeth they’ve already grown in will determine how they learn to form certain vowels and consonants. If development of baby teeth is slow going or the shape of their teeth has been altered by decay, it will affect their ability to learn proper speech techniques at a very young age, impacting their speech for years to come.

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment Today

In order to ensure your child’s dental health throughout their childhood, regular dental appointments are a must. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be scheduled when their first tooth starts to show, usually at around a year old or younger. Schedule an appointment today and our team will get your child on their way to a happier, healthier smile.