In addition to celebrating our baby’s first words, first food, and first steps, we can also anticipate our baby’s first tooth anywhere from 3 to 14 months of age.  Before the appearance of the first tooth, a damp cloth run over the upper and lower gums is an excellent  way to begin your baby’s oral health journey.

It is recommended that you bring your baby in to see the dentist within 6 months of your baby’s first tooth or by their first birthday. During that first visit, you can expect the dental professionals to guide you through steps on how to ensure excellent oral care for your infants.  Using a soft bristled toothbrush with water (or non fluoride toothpaste) two/three times a day is a great beginning.

As parents, we celebrate the joy of our infants reaching these milestones, however our babies may be experiencing discomfort.

Possible signs of teething are as follows:

1.  Restlessness/distribution of sleep
2.  Irritability
3.  Excessive drooling
4.  Chewing on solids
5.  Swollen gum tissue
6.  Consistently rubbing eyes, cheeks or ears.

Luckily for us parents, there are few avenues that can assist us in easing the pain.  To name a few: over the counter numbing agents, refrigerated baby teethers, or over the counter pain relief. Most importantly though, the warm love and gentle comfort from a parent/loved one always goes a long way.

At Braeside Dental Centre, we know how precious your infants are.  It is a true privilege to care for them and accompany them as they begin their dental journey.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones in 2018!

-Maninee
Braeside Dental Centre