Infant Oral Care – Castle Rock, CO
Putting Young Smiles on the Right Path
A baby’s gummy smile is one of the sweetest, most endearing sights for a parent to admire. Once the initial tooth buds begin to peek through the gum line, you may find yourself falling in love all over again with their adorable smile. But what does the introduction of these new teeth mean for your child? At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Benzley and his children's dentistry team want to help you put your baby on the right path to optimal oral health. Where does it start? The answer is long before the first tooth erupts. With so many questions and uncertainties, he is pleased to offer infant oral care in our Castle Rock, CO dental office that your child needs to grow and develop a healthy, beautiful smile that can last a lifetime.
Why Choose Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for Infant Oral Care?
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Dentists and Team Highly Experienced
with Very Young Patients -
Ready to Help Break
Non-Nutritive Habits -
Warm and Friendly
Dental Office Environment
Baby’s First Visit
During your baby’s first dental visit, you and your child will be introduced to our pediatric dental team and begin discussions regarding their oral health, how to properly care for their teeth and gums at home, healthy foods to incorporate that will benefit their smile, and which preventive treatments will be most beneficial to achieving a happier, healthier smile. This visit is designed more so that you and your child can become familiar with us as well as the dental office.
Fluoride Treatments
Even when your child is still an infant, fluoride can be one of the most beneficial treatments they can receive. Not only will this better protect their teeth from potentially developing tooth decay, but it will also help to strengthen their tooth enamel, which is much thinner and less durable than an adult’s teeth. Apart from the fluoride toothpaste we will recommend that you use at home, these fluoride treatments will be a great addition to their regular dental checkups.
Teething
No parent wants to see their child in pain. Unfortunately, for teeth to develop, they must first erupt and that means pushing through the gums. This process can be extremely uncomfortable for your little one and leave you more exhausted than you could ever imagine. Fortunately, your pediatric dentist and his team are familiar with the do’s and don’ts of teething and will be happy to offer advice and tips on ways to help your baby move through this difficult time frame. Some suggested tips include:
- Using a clean finger to gently rubs your baby’s gums
- Allow them to chew on a cold teether to help soothe and numb their gums
- Administer infant acetaminophen but only if approved by your pediatrician
Non-Nutritive Habits
It’s no surprise that pacifiers and thumbs are the most commonly used items for babies to suck and gnaw on during development. While using a pacifier or sucking a thumb is normal, overuse can lead to serious dental problems (i.e., gapped teeth, poor bite alignment, etc.). If you worry about the idea of trying to break these habits, we can offer useful tips to help you establish newer, healthier ways for your child to maintain a level of comfort without the need to use a pacifier or suck their thumb.
Brushing Gums After Feedings
Long before your child’s first tooth erupts, you should be cleaning and brushing their gums after they finish eating. Whether you are breastfeeding or offering them a bottle, the contents that remain on their gums can be problematic over time. To avoid bacteria from accumulating on and around their gums, make sure you are using a damp washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush to gently rub and massage this soft oral tissue.
