Most children get their first tooth between four and seven months of age. It’s the parents’ responsibility to care for these early teeth and introduce good dental hygiene habits as the child ages. Fallbrook Family Dentistry is a local dental office in Lincoln, NE, that helps care for young patients in the area. Their team wants to educate parents on what to do when that first tooth emerges, so they’ve shared some helpful information below. 

What to Do When You Find the First Tooth

First, invest in a baby toothbrush. One option is a long-handled brush that you and your little one can hold together. Alternatively, your dental office might provide you with a finger slipcover that is used to gently massage the tooth and gums. Both options have a small number of extremely soft bristles to avoid agitating the infant’s mouth. 

Your child’s gums will become irritated as the first tooth breaks free. Help ease the discomfort by using a combination of teething toys, cold packs, and oral creams. Relieving pain also reduces the risk of your child fighting their daily tooth brushing routine.

Finally, begin weaning them off their nightly milk or formula. These liquids have sugars that can linger on the tooth, which leads to tooth decay, sometimes referred to as “bottle rot.” Provide water as an alternative nighttime beverage to avoid this risk.

Why Protecting Your Child’s Early Teeth Is Important

The primary purpose of infant dental care is to get you and your child in a good routine by developing proper brushing and flossing habits early. These lessons will teach them how to protect permanent teeth to avoid the need for dental implants later in life. 

Further, caring for your baby’s first tooth is beneficial for the rest of their mouth. For example, kids chew on a lot of random items throughout the day. Regular dental cleaning prevents bacteria growth that might otherwise lead to other dental concerns, such as swollen gums.

A child’s first tooth is a big milestone for both the baby and their parents. Fallbrook Family Dentistry wants to make sure you’re prepared to care for these early teeth and to educate your child on the importance of dental hygiene later on. Join their family of caring professionals to ensure your entire family’s general and cosmetic dentistry needs are met at every stage of life. Call the dental office at (402) 467­-0007 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website for more information on their services.