Dr. Ben Reimer and Dr. Frannie Rensch lead the team of dental professionals at Pediatric Dental Specialists (omaha.mypediatricdentalspecialists.com). There, your child can get the best care in a comfortable, safe, and fun environment designed just for them. They serve all kids, so feel confident knowing the team is prepared and skilled to provide care for all special needs. Everything is designed with your child in mind to ensure they have the best dental experience possible. Dr. Ben and Dr. Frannie are trained pediatric dentists, which means additional years of schooling to specialize in pediatric dentistry. The entire Pediatric Dental Specialists team is skilled in providing dental care to kids.
How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth By Age with Pediatric Dental Specialists
BIRTH TO 6 MONTHS
Even before your child starts teething, setting a good oral health routine is important. Keeping the gums healthy will help prevent tooth decay when their first precious pearly whites start coming in. You can begin your baby’s oral health routine by gently cleaning their gums with a warm washcloth and water after each feeding. Gently massage their gums with your index finger to rinse away any remaining sugars from milk (and a gum massage for a teething baby will surely be welcomed). Do not give your baby a bottle during bedtime. This will let sugars sit on their teeth for extended periods of time. Teething babies will enjoy cold teething rings or cold, wet washcloths which are great ways to both cleanse their gums and provide some teething pain relief. Did you know that the bacteria that causes dental decay (cavities) can be transmitted from person to person? It’s true, so avoid using your mouth to test bottle temperature or clean a pacifier.
6 TO 12 MONTHS
At this stage, your baby is starting to eat non-milk based foods and may even sprout some teeth. Continue to gently massage their gums with a wet washcloth after each meal. When their first tooth erupts you can begin to brush with a soft bristle toothbrush—do not use toothpaste yet. After the 12 month mark, your baby will start getting more nutrition from foods, and you can begin to wean from the bottle if you choose to and introduce sippy cups. Make sure you’re familiar with the normal appearance of your baby’s teeth and gums. If you notice white or brown spots or anything unfamiliar, that may indicate decay so contact our office for an appointment with your pediatric dentist in Omaha.
12 TO 18 MONTHS
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Pediatric Dental Specialists in Omaha agree that your child should have their first dental visit by the time they turn one, or when their first tooth erupts, whichever is first. By this age, your child will be eating a regular diet of nutrient-dense food and should be drinking formula, breastmilk, or no-sugar-added juices from a cup. Your child will likely have several teeth at this point so we recommend brushing with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste twice daily to establish a good oral health routine and to get your child used to the routine. If you haven’t yet scheduled your child’s first dental appointment, contact and our helpful team will find a time that works for you at our Omaha location.
