728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Toddler Health › Sweet Smiles

Sweet Smiles

Caring for Your Toddler's Teeth

By Melinda Copp

Pages:  1  2  3  

When most parents think of a baby's teeth, teething is the first thing that usually comes to mind. Once you get past teething, your little one's teeth need a different kind of care. Toddlerhood means choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste, finding a dentist and incorporating good dental care into your daily routine.

"Although we haven't found a dentist for him yet, we started brushing my 1-year-old son's teeth a few weeks ago," says Matt Kraycar, a dad from Hilton Head Island, S.C. "Before that, when his teeth were still coming in, we used a wet wash cloth to wipe his gums and teeth when he was in the bathtub."

While your toddler is young and learning, you should establish good dental care habits that he can carry throughout his life.

First Trip to the Dentist
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that children should see the dentist by age 1 or when the first teeth start to come through. This helps establish a dental home for your child and lays the foundation for a lifetime of good dental care. And just like you choose a pediatrician for your child's health needs, you should choose a dentist who can care for your child's teeth as he or she grows.

At the first appointment, the dentist will talk to you about your child's medical history, family dental history, family dental care, any potential problems with your child's teeth and how to take care of your child's teeth through the coming years. Your dentist will talk to you about nutrition and good dental habits, and offer you anticipatory guidance.

Then the dentist will conduct a lap exam of your child's teeth. He or she will sit facing you with your knees touching. Your child will lie in your laps with his head on the dentist's side, while you hold your child's legs and lower body still. The dentist will look at your child's teeth and their position. The doctor will look for signs of decay and lesions along the gum line, look at your child's craniofacial growth and development and talk to you about what you should expect to see.

Pages:  1  2  3  


Want to see more?