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Dentistry for Two
Congratulations! We are all pleased for you and extend our best wishes for the months ahead. Let's look at some dental considerations. Approximately half of the expectant mothers that we see are afflicted with some form of pregnancy gingivitis. Hormonal changes plus bacterial plaque are the culprits. Usually, after delivery, recovery is spontaneous, but occasionally periodontal therapy is indicated. The very best way to avoid these bleeding and swelling problems is to be meticulous about oral hygiene and to make sure that professional care is rendered without interruption.
Significant Questions and Answers...
When can I expect the baby's first tooth to erupt?
Normally, the first tooth to erupt is a lower incisor. It should peek through at about six months of age. Note that the tooth may erupt a month or two early - or late - and it might be present at birth - though this is very rare. The eruption pattern varies greatly.
During the teeth eruption period, what physical symptoms are present?
When teeth are getting ready to break through, the gum tissue usually becomes tender and swollen. Excess drooling will probably occur and the baby may become irritable and restless. As teeth are attempting to erupt, you may notice a slight fever. Although teething is an unlikely cause of illness, parents often associate cold symptoms and diarrhea with the eruption of teeth. Naturally, teething can compound the discomfort during a cold or intestinal disorder.
What can I do to help the baby through the teething period?
You can rub the gums witha clean teething ring or cold spoon. When infants are cutting teeth, they seem to find natural relief from sore gums by gumming anything available. Make sure any object you give the baby cannot break and cause choking. Teething is a natural process which soon ends. When the tooth emerges, the symptoms vanish.
What can a mother do to help the baby fight plaque problems?
First, realize that plaque problems begin with the eruption of the first tooth. Therefore, as soon as the first tooth erupts, the time has come to begin oral hygiene. This means keeping the teeth healthy by removing plaque daily and therefore protecting the baby's teeth from decay.
Plaque is the major cause of tooth decay. It is a sticky colorless film of bacteria that continually forms in the mouth. The bacteria has the ability to form acids which ultimately cause decay.
As the new teeth erupt, mothers find rubbing with a moistened gauze pad or a soft, clean wash cloth to be helpful in removing plaque and keeping the teeth clean. This important step - aimed at a lifetime of dental health - is great help in getting the infant used to a clean mouth feeling.
What is nursing bottle syndrome?
Nursing bottle syndrome occurs when a child is put to bed with a bottle filled with milk, juice or any liquid containing sugar.
When the baby sleeps, the amount of saliva production in the mouth is reduced. When the baby falls asleep with a bottle in the mouth, acids produced remain in contact with the tooth enamel because the liquid tends to pool around the infant's teeth. Therefore, avoid pacifying your baby with a bottle of sugar water or fruit juice. Even milk or formula can cause decay if it remains in the baby's mouth too long.
If the baby needs the bottle comfort at nap time or bed time, put plain water in the bottle in order to protect the teeth from decay problems. A drop of food coloring may be added to make the water look like juice.
Is it true that baby teeth are not important?
No. It is terribly important that new mothers realize that the primary teeth (a better phrase) are vital to a child's appearance, function and maintenance of proper spacing for the ultimate eruption of the permanent teeth. These factors positively or negatively affect the development of the facial structure.
Children who have lost primary teeth early are much more likely to require orthodontic treatment later on. This is because space necessary for the eruption of permanent teeth has been lost due to missing primary teeth. These problems, of course, can alter emotional development.
At what age should a child first see the dentist?
The ideal time for the first dental visit is directly after all twenty primary teeth have erupted, which is usually somewhere between two and two and a half years of age. The earlier we begin professional care, the better opportunity we have to head off problems.
When can I expect the baby's first tooth to erupt?
Normally, the first tooth to erupt is a lower incisor. It should peek through at about six months of age. Note that the tooth may erupt a month or two early - or late - and it might be present at birth - though this is very rare. The eruption pattern varies greatly.
During the teeth eruption period, what physical symptoms are present?
When teeth are getting ready to break through, the gum tissue usually becomes tender and swollen. Excess drooling will probably occur and the baby may become irritable and restless. As teeth are attempting to erupt, you may notice a slight fever. Although teething is an unlikely cause of illness, parents often associate cold symptoms and diarrhea with the eruption of teeth. Naturally, teething can compound the discomfort during a cold or intestinal disorder.
What can I do to help the baby through the teething period?
You can rub the gums witha clean teething ring or cold spoon. When infants are cutting teeth, they seem to find natural relief from sore gums by gumming anything available. Make sure any object you give the baby cannot break and cause choking. Teething is a natural process which soon ends. When the tooth emerges, the symptoms vanish.
What can a mother do to help the baby fight plaque problems?
First, realize that plaque problems begin with the eruption of the first tooth. Therefore, as soon as the first tooth erupts, the time has come to begin oral hygiene. This means keeping the teeth healthy by removing plaque daily and therefore protecting the baby's teeth from decay.
Plaque is the major cause of tooth decay. It is a sticky colorless film of bacteria that continually forms in the mouth. The bacteria has the ability to form acids which ultimately cause decay.
As the new teeth erupt, mothers find rubbing with a moistened gauze pad or a soft, clean wash cloth to be helpful in removing plaque and keeping the teeth clean. This important step - aimed at a lifetime of dental health - is great help in getting the infant used to a clean mouth feeling.
What is nursing bottle syndrome?
Nursing bottle syndrome occurs when a child is put to bed with a bottle filled with milk, juice or any liquid containing sugar.
When the baby sleeps, the amount of saliva production in the mouth is reduced. When the baby falls asleep with a bottle in the mouth, acids produced remain in contact with the tooth enamel because the liquid tends to pool around the infant's teeth. Therefore, avoid pacifying your baby with a bottle of sugar water or fruit juice. Even milk or formula can cause decay if it remains in the baby's mouth too long.
If the baby needs the bottle comfort at nap time or bed time, put plain water in the bottle in order to protect the teeth from decay problems. A drop of food coloring may be added to make the water look like juice.
Is it true that baby teeth are not important?
No. It is terribly important that new mothers realize that the primary teeth (a better phrase) are vital to a child's appearance, function and maintenance of proper spacing for the ultimate eruption of the permanent teeth. These factors positively or negatively affect the development of the facial structure.
Children who have lost primary teeth early are much more likely to require orthodontic treatment later on. This is because space necessary for the eruption of permanent teeth has been lost due to missing primary teeth. These problems, of course, can alter emotional development.
At what age should a child first see the dentist?
The ideal time for the first dental visit is directly after all twenty primary teeth have erupted, which is usually somewhere between two and two and a half years of age. The earlier we begin professional care, the better opportunity we have to head off problems.
There is little reason to avoid appointments during pregnancy. Most dental treatment can be rendered without risk to the mother or the baby. Of course, we are always glad to consult with your physician.
The best thing you can do for your unborn baby is to follow dental health rules for your own oral health. Eat a well balanced diet. Avoid sugar; don't indulge in sweet snacks or drinks. Follow a meticulous home care program and be sure to get regular dental care. Remember, too, that the nutrients your unborn baby needs will come from the foods you eat. So, eat health giving foods from the four basic food groups (namely, fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, bread and cereal and meat and other proteins).
The best thing you can do for your unborn baby is to follow dental health rules for your own oral health. Eat a well balanced diet. Avoid sugar; don't indulge in sweet snacks or drinks. Follow a meticulous home care program and be sure to get regular dental care. Remember, too, that the nutrients your unborn baby needs will come from the foods you eat. So, eat health giving foods from the four basic food groups (namely, fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, bread and cereal and meat and other proteins).
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