A child's dental care actually begins at birth. Here are some helpful answers to frequently asked questions.

How can I care for my baby's gums?

Mouth care should always begin at birth. After each feeding, gently wipe the baby's gums with a soft, damp washcloth or a gauze pad.

What about teething?

The discomfort of teeth coming into the mouth can cause your baby to become irritable. You can ease some of the discomfort by lightly rubbing the baby's gums with a clean finger or a wet gauze pad. A cool teething ring can also help to soothe your baby's tender gums.

When will my baby's teeth come in?

Teeth begin forming in your baby even before birth. All 20 primary teeth (baby teeth) are present in the jawbones at birth. The lower two front teeth are the first to erupt. This occurs somewhere around 6 months after birth. Do not be too concerned if your baby is a little late. The age mentioned here is only an average. By age 3, all 20 primary teeth should be present.

Central incisor
(Front two teeth) 6-12 months
Lateral incisor 9-16 months
(Next to central incisor)
Canines 16-23 months
(Next to lateral incisor)
First molars 13-19 months
(Next to Canines)
Second Molars 22-33 months

What role does nutrition play in healthy dental development?

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Most snacks that children eat can led to cavity formation. Try to limit your child's snacks. If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheese.

When should be the first dental visit?

Your child should visit the dentist by his first birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Tell your child in advance that someone will look at his teeth and clean them. All the dentist and his staff to introduce other procedures. Your dentist will examine your child's mouth for early signs of decay or other problems. The dentist will also tell you many of the things you will need to know about helping your child grow up cavity free.

What kind of toothbrush/paste should I choose?

When the first teeth appear, use a children's soft-bristle toothbrush to clean them. Make sure that you do not use any toothpaste on the brush for children younger than 3-4 years (until they are ale to understand instructions so as not to ingest the toothpaste which can be harmful due to fluoride content). The amount of toothpaste to be used on children's brush should not be bigger than the size of a small pea.

DENTAL CARE DURING PREGNANCY

Foods you eat during pregnancy affect every aspect of the health of your baby, including teeth development. some of the following nutritional and dental tips will help you keep better care of your dental health during pregnancy as well as ensure health teeth for your baby.

Your baby's teeth begin to develop below their gums between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. So getting the right nutrients is especially important during that period. A sufficient amount of Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamins A, C and D will all help ensure health development of your baby's teeth.

A daily diet including the following foods should provide plenty of these nutrients.

• 6 or more servings of bread, cereals and other grains
• 3 or more servings of vegetables
• 3 servings of dairy products
• 2 to 3 servings of meat, fish or poultry
• 2 or more servings of fruits

Talk to your doctor for specific advice about your diet, especially if certain food groups give you difficulty (e.g. dairy products).

As an expectant mother you are slightly more prone to cavities. This is due to the fact that you are eating more often, thereby accumulating more plaque on your teeth. To help prevent cavities, be sure to brush and floss after meals and snacks. This will also combat gum disease, which can be brought on by the combination of excess plaque and changes in hormone levels that accompany pregnancy. It is important to consult your dentist during pregnancy to prevent cavities.

Routine dental care is not recommended during certain stages of pregnancy. Please consult your dentist for your dental care during pregnancy.