{"id":122,"date":"2019-01-17T19:46:20","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T19:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentistsatorencoforkids.com\/blog\/?p=122"},"modified":"2020-06-29T15:32:10","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T15:32:10","slug":"4-tips-to-keep-your-babys-smile-healthy-from-a-pediatric-dentist-in-hillsboro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentistsatorencoforkids.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/17\/4-tips-to-keep-your-babys-smile-healthy-from-a-pediatric-dentist-in-hillsboro\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips to Keep Your Baby\u2019s Smile Healthy from a Pediatric Dentist in Hillsboro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your baby is undeniably adorable. You especially love their\nsmile with its pure joy. Now imagine that as you take yet another picture of\nyour baby, you see decay on their teeth. You would do anything to keep your\nbaby healthy and protect them from harm, but are you taking care of their oral\nhealth? Here are four tips from a pediatric\ndentist<\/a> in Hillsboro to make sure your baby can keep beaming at you\nfor years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Start Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From day one, you can promote your baby\u2019s oral health. Start\nby using a washcloth to gently wipe and massage their gums at least once a day.\nAs their teeth come in, continue to use a washcloth twice a day or after meals until\nthey turn one. At that point, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and begin brushing\nwith fluoride-free toothpaste twice and flossing once daily. Not only do these\noral practices keep their teeth strong and clean, it helps reinforce healthy\nhabits they will need in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manage Teething Trouble<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teething can be painful for some babies and cause fussiness.\nTo help manage your baby\u2019s teething, give your baby a cold teething ring or\ncold washcloth to chew on. After getting the okay from their pediatrician, you\ncan also use infant acetaminophen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many parents, it can be tempting to use feeding time or\nleave a bottle with them in the crib to help their babies fall asleep. Are you\nguilty of doing this? Although the breast or bottle may ease your baby into\ndreamland, that is the time when your baby\u2019s mouth is most vulnerable. Adults\nand babies alike produce less saliva during sleep, letting the bacteria in the\nmouth have free reign. These bacteria create acids that attack your baby\u2019s\nteeth. When your baby has residual milk in their mouth, the sugars in the milk\nonly fuel the bacteria more and lead to what is commonly called baby bottle\ntooth decay. To avoid this, do not give your baby a bottle to take in the crib.\nIf they need something, try giving your baby water to drink instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit the Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should bring your baby to the pediatric dentist in\nHillsboro for the first time around their first birthday. At this appointment,\nthe dentist will form a relationship with your baby in addition to visually\ncheck their teeth. The children\u2019s dentist in Hillsboro can also answer any of\nyour questions, such as the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n