By Ginger Christian
Did you know that May 2 is National Baby Day? Keep the tiny, growing smiles of your babies healthy with these tricks, tips and things you may not know from South Mississippi Smiles!
BABY TEETH
Baby teeth are temporary, but important. They help your child chew, speak and smile until their “big teeth” arrive and help permanent teeth grow in the correct position. Cavities are a threat as soon as a baby’s first teeth appear, and almost one in four children (ages 2 to 5) have cavities in their baby teeth. Cavities can hurt and cause problems with eating, playing, learning and even sleeping. So where do you start with dental and oral care for infants?
BOTTLE FEEDINGS
Bottles should be filled with milk or formula, and not with sugary drinks or juices. Be sure to finish feedings before bedtime, and do not let your child fall asleep with a bottle in his or her mouth.
CLEANING GUMS AND TEETH
After every bottle feeding, remember to gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean washcloth that is soft and damp or wet gauze. After your child’s first tooth appears, brush his or her teeth every morning and night with a baby toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice).
FIRST DENTAL VISIT
You should schedule your baby’s first dental visit by his or her first birthday or after the first tooth appears, whichever happens first. Dr. Cameron Larson, owner and managing partner of South Mississippi Smiles, says, “We encourage parents to bring their children in as early as 6 months, even if a child hasn’t gotten his or her first teeth. It’s important for parents to start that routine visit and for us to provide education, especially to first-time parents.”
EARLY EDUCATION
South Mississippi Smiles cares about good dental health care beyond their offices and make visits to elementary schools, head starts, maternity events and health fairs throughout the year. They provide demonstrations to children on how to brush and floss, with puppet story times to promote healthy habits early. To schedule a visit from South Mississippi Smiles for a fun dental presentation for kids, email GingerChristian@KidsDentalBrands.com.
WHERE SHOULD I MAKE MY APPOINTMENT?
South Mississippi Smiles is a just-for-kids dental office that provides a fun, family-friendly environment, with offices in Gulfport and Pascagoula. Televisions play children’s movies in every patient area, and parents always are welcome in treatment rooms. Most insurance plans are accepted. Both offices offer conscious sedation, which is provided at no charge to military families on the Gulf Coast.
To make an appointment for your child or to learn more, visit SMSmiles.com!