Babies’ Dental Health           

Hutchinson Dentist for Babies & Young Children

Here at Grant Ringler, DDS, we are passionate about providing gentle, high-quality dental care for babies, young children and adults alike. Many people are unaware that babies can suffer tooth decay from the frequent and long-term exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars. The sugars in milk, fruit juice, formula, soda and other sweetened drinks can pool around the infant’s gums and teeth, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque.

Infants who are breast-fed for a prolonged period of time can also have baby tooth decay just like children whose pacifiers are dipped in honey or sugar. When sweet fluids are left in the mouth while the infant is sleeping, there is an increased risk of cavities.

Tips for Preventing Baby Tooth Decay

To keep your baby’s teeth free of decay, you should clean and massage the baby’s gums once a day to establish healthy teeth and aid in teething. To brush your infant’s teeth, wrap a wet gauze square or washcloth around your finger and massage the gums and gingival tissues.

Making a change in your child’s diet will also contribute to better dental health. One of the best ways to achieve better oral health in your children is to incorporate small changes in their diet, such as diluting the bottle contents, over a period of time. Other changes that will benefit your infant’s oral health include:

• After the period of diluting the bottle is over, give the child a bottle filled with water or a clean pacifier that is recommended by a dentist. Water is the only liquid that you can put in a bottle to prevent baby bottle tooth decay.
• Work on decreasing the consumption of sugar, especially between meals
• Beware of taking away your child’s bottle too soon, as the sucking motion aids in the development of facial muscles as well as the tongue

Hutchinson Dentist for Baby Tooth Decay

The caring team at Grant Ringler, DDS will take the time to help you evaluate the dental health of your infant’s teeth. Our Hutchinson dental office can treat decayed teeth and extract infant teeth when necessary. If your child’s teeth are infected or lost too early because of baby bottle tooth decay, there is the possibility that your child may develop poor eating habits, crooked teeth, speech problems and damaged adult teeth. Let our office help you build helpful habits that will benefit your infant and your entire household.

Contact Hutchinson dentist Grant Ringler today to schedule an appointment for your infant.