Protecting Tiny Teeth!
Tuesday February 12, 2019
Oral health during pregnancy for moms, and during infancy for babies, is especially important to set kids up for a lifetime of good health.
It’s hard to believe that taking care of your own mouth during pregnancy can have an effect on your baby – but it does! The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency encourages all expecting and new moms to make oral health a priority for you and for your baby. “Morning sickness and hormonal changes can make you more prone to gum disease and cavities when you’re pregnant, which can impact your baby’s health,” says Yvonne Atwood, Director of Personal Health and Disease Prevention. “A dentist can treat these problems or help you avoid them in the first place.”
Get a dental check-up before your delivery. If your last visit was more than six months ago, or you have any oral health issues, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Tell your dentist that you are pregnant and your due date. Also be sure they are aware of any medications you’re taking, specific medical conditions, any form of tobacco or drug use, or if your pregnancy is high-risk. X-rays, local anesthetics and most pain medication are safe as long as the dentist is aware of your pregnancy. In addition to visiting your dentist, be sure to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth, and limit sugary foods. If morning sickness occurs, rinse your mouth with one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Remember, moms and babies share everything — including bacteria. If you have cavities, you also have the bacteria that cause them in your mouth. This bacteria can be passed from your mouth to your baby’s mouth and increase her risk of cavities, too. This is part of the reason it’s important to get a dental check-up and establish a healthy smile before the baby is born. Once your baby is finally here, there are steps to keep his or her mouth healthy, too.
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Whether you breast or bottle feed, wipe your baby’s gums after each feeding and before bedtime.
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Avoid cleaning pacifiers with your mouth.
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Try to soothe your teething baby by rubbing the gums with a clean finger or allowing her to chew on a clean, moist washcloth. You can also ask your doctor to recommend a safe teething ring. Teething doesn’t usually cause a fever, rash or diarrhea. If your baby has these symptoms call your pediatrician.
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Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle.
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Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Be sure to brush twice a day using a small smear of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice).
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Your baby should see a dentist after their first tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday. If you need help finding a pediatric dentist or a dentist trained to treat children, ask your pediatrician for recommendations or visit InsureKidsNow.gov. view site
Although it might seem like a lot of work to take care of these temporary teeth, it is important to keep baby teeth cavity free. Baby teeth help children to eat healthy food, develop their speech, and maintain space for their adult teeth. Bacteria that cause cavities in baby teeth stay in the mouth and may cause cavities in permanent teeth.
Do you need a dental provider? My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) works in cooperation with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency to provide high quality dental care for those on Medicaid, the uninsured, and others and they are accepting new clients! You can reach them at www.mydental.org or by calling the new patient registration center at 1-877-313-6232.
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