Why is oral health important for my infant?
Oral health is important for a child's growth and development, overall health and well being, and self-esteem. Tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, and premature loss of teeth -- which can affect the development of permanent teeth. Oral health problems in an infant's mouth, such as bleeding gums and cavities, increase the chance for these problems in permanent teeth. Good oral health habits -- started at an early age at home -- increase the chance for a healthy mouth during your child's young life and carry on through adulthood.
My baby does not have teeth; do I need to clean my baby's mouth?
Yes, it's a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums.
To clean your baby,s mouth:
- Lay your baby in your lap with his or her head close to your chest.
- Gently, but firmly, rub a clean and damp piece of gauze or washcloth along both the upper and lower gums.
- Clean the gums at least two times a day -- after breakfast and after the last feeding of the day. Even better -- clean your baby's gums after every feeding.
What is teething?
Teething refers to the time when baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or primary teeth) appear. Generally, teething first occurs between 6 months and 24 months of age. While this process is uneventful in some children; for others, it causes quite a bit of discomfort and irritability.
Why are baby teeth important?
Baby teeth are important because they allow an infant to eat a good diet, allow for proper jaw growth, give the face its form and appearance, assist in the formation of proper speech, and most important, act as "space savers" for adult teeth.
What are some symptoms that my child might be teething?
Symptoms include:
- Increased irritability
- Placing objects or fingers in the mouth and biting down on them
- Increased saliva or drooling
- Loss of appetite or becoming choosy about foods
- Tender and swollen gums
- Rash on cheeks or redness in the area of the cheeks near the affected gums
- Restlessness
- Ear pulling, which may be a sign of teething or possibly an ear infection (make an appointment to have your child seen by your doctor or pediatrician)
Teething does not result in fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child experiences these problems, contact your physician.
What can be done to ease a child's teething pain?
Some suggestions include:
- Massaging your child's gums with a clean finger or the back of a small cold spoon
- Allowing your child to bite down on a chilled (but never frozen) teething ring. A frozen teething ring can damage the gums.
- Using an over-the-counter teething ointment to numb the gums. Ask your dentist or doctor for some product recommendations.
- Allowing your child to suck on a cold, wet cloth
Teething biscuits or cookies and frozen bananas are not recommended. These objects promote tooth decay and may cause your child to choke.
My child was actually born with teeth. Should I be concerned?
Some infants are born with one or more teeth (called natal teeth) or may have teeth emerge within the first 30 days of life (called neonatal teeth). These usually are either extra teeth or remnants from neonatal development that mimic teeth that do not need treatment. If they are, in fact, teeth, attempts should be made to maintain these teeth if they are firmly in place. However, if they are too loose and pose a danger of falling out and being inhaled by your baby, or if they interfere with feeding or irritate your baby's tongue, they may need to be removed.
Some infants are born with one or more teeth (called natal teeth) or may have teeth emerge within the first 30 days of life (called neonatal teeth). These usually are either extra teeth or remnants from neonatal development that mimic teeth that do not need treatment. If they are, in fact, teeth, attempts should be made to maintain these teeth if they are firmly in place. However, if they are too loose and pose a danger of falling out and being inhaled by your baby, or if they interfere with feeding or irritate your baby's tongue, they may need to be removed.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/25/2007…#11174
