Dental Information » The Right Start: Infant Dental Care
The Right Start: Infant Dental Care
Q: Would you recommend any type of gum care prior to eruption of a child's first tooth? I want to provide good dental care for my infant.
A: It is important to get an early start on preventative dental care.
Some hospital-oriented prenatal courses invite dentists to provide instruction for prenatal and postnatal dental care. This counseling serves several functions. Expectant mothers often experience swollen, bleeding, and sore gums (i.e. pregnancy gingivitis). It appears that meticulous oral hygiene reduces this common condition. Certain medications, such as tetracycline, may stain the child's developing teeth. Postnatally, information about baby bottle tooth decay is extremely important. Not only should parents be aware of and practice good oral hygiene habits, but they should help their children develop these habits as well. This includes early initiation of the cleaning process. I recommend gently cleaning the gums even before the primary teeth erupt. This will accustom the child to the cleaning process and provide a healthier environment for the erupting teeth (R.L. Braham et al., eds., "Textbook of Pediatric Dentistry" Second Edition, 1988, B.C. Decker Incorporated, Toronto). If the gum tissue is covered with plaque, this will be the first substance the tooth contacts as it erupts. Obviously, this is not a healthy situation!