We wanted to use this blog post to highlight some interesting factoids concerning your baby’s oral health.

  1. Newborn babies are not born with the bacteria that leads to cavities. Newborns only receive these bacteria through the saliva of their caregivers. Caregivers pass their saliva onto baby by blowing on their food, sharing spoons, testing their food, or even putting baby’s pacifier into their own mouths to “clean it off.” Parents and caregivers can help prevent or slow the exposure to the cavity causing bacteria Streptococcus Mutans by being healthy themselves. Eating healthy foods, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, and visiting your dentist to keep your own mouth as clean as possible will allow for more worry-free times when you do kiss your beautiful baby!
  2. Around six months of age to a year, you will typically see your baby’s first tooth appear. It is an exciting time and a new stage in your baby’s development. While these teeth are coming in, we often refer to this time as “teething.” Gums may have swelling and some babies may become a little fussy or irritable during this time. They may even have a harder time falling asleep. Teething babies may drool more than normal during this time. This is all normal. However, if you find your baby has a fever or diarrhea or seems extremely uncomfortable, it is a good idea to call your doctor.
  3. Once teeth do appear, you should begin brushing your baby’s teeth with a tiny smear of toothpaste across the top of the bristles. Be sure to brush the teeth right before bedtime. Never put babies to bed with anything other than water as their last consumption of the day to avoid baby bottle tooth decay. We also remind parents not to dip pacifiers in anything sweet.
  4. Be sure to visit your pediatric dentist as soon as your baby’s first tooth arrives to begin acclimating your child to the dental office and for education on tooth development and proper care of your childs teeth.

About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options.  We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.

39400 Garfield Rd., Suite 200
Clinton Township, MI
48038
US
Phone: 586-286-0700
Fax: 586-286-5932