Expert dental Care for Growing Smiles
At Mobile Bay, we understand that a child’s early dental experiences shape their lifelong oral health. From teething and baby bottle tooth decay prevention to their first dental visit and beyond, our pediatric dental care focuses on comfort, education, and prevention. We help parents navigate every stage of their child’s dental development, ensuring strong, healthy smiles. Whether it’s monitoring baby teeth, guiding proper tooth eruption, or promoting good oral hygiene habits, our team is here to support your little one’s journey to optimal dental health.
your child's first visit
A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled around his/her first birthday.
The most important part of the visit is getting to know and becoming comfortable with the dental team. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits.
Dental Tips for Teething Infants
A baby’s first tooth typically erupts between 6 to 12 months of age. Gums are sore, tender and sometimes irritable until the age of 3. Rubbing sore gums gently with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon or a cold, wet cloth helps soothe the gums. Teething rings work well.
While your baby is teething, it is important to monitor the teeth for signs of baby bottle decay. Examine the teeth, especially on the inside or the tongue side, every two weeks for dull spots (whiter than the tooth surface) or lines.
A bottle left in an infant’s mouth while sleeping can cause decay. This happens because sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria in dental plaque, forming acids that attack the tooth enamel. Each time a child drinks liquids containing sugar, acids attack the teeth for about 20 minutes. When awake, saliva carries away the liquid. During sleep, the saliva flow significantly decreases and liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods, covering the teeth in acids.
Caring for Infant's New Teeth
Primary (baby) teeth play a crucial role in dental development. Without them, a child cannot chew food properly and has difficulty speaking clearly. Primary teeth are vital to development of the jaws and for guiding the permanent teeth into place when they replace the baby teeth — beginning at age 6 and continuing until around age 12.
Since primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into place, infants with missing primary teeth or infants who prematurely lose primary teeth may require a space maintainer, a device used to hold the natural space open. Without a maintainer, the teeth can tilt toward the empty space and cause permanent teeth to come in crooked.
The way your child cares for his/her primary teeth plays a critical role in how he/she treats the permanent teeth. Children and adults are equally susceptible to plaque and gum problems—hence, the need for regular care and dental check-ups.
Infant Tooth Eruption
A child’s teeth actually start forming before birth. As early as 4 months of age, the primary (baby) teeth push through the gums—the lower central incisors are first, then the upper central incisors. The remainder of the 20 primary teeth typically erupt by age 3. Permanent teeth begin eruption around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until around age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth—32 including the third molars (wisdom teeth).
Healthy Diet Tips for Strong Teeth and Gums in Babies and Children
A healthy smile starts early—and what your child eats plays a big role in their oral health. At our dental office, we believe prevention is key, and that begins with good nutrition. Here are some simple, effective dietary tips to help your child develop strong teeth and healthy gums from the very beginning.
For Babies:
- Breastfeeding or formula feeding is the primary nutrition source for infants, but once solids are introduced (around 6 months), choose nutrient-rich options.
- Limit sugary drinks, especially juice. Water and milk are the best choices. If offering juice, keep it to no more than 4 oz/day and serve it with meals.
- Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle, especially if it contains milk, formula, or juice—this can lead to “baby bottle tooth decay.”
- Start introducing soft fruits and vegetables like bananas, avocados, or cooked carrots, which are gentle on gums and rich in essential vitamins.
For Toddlers and Young Children:
- Calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt help build strong teeth.
- Offer crunchy fruits and veggies such as apples, carrots, and celery. These help naturally clean teeth and stimulate the gums.
- Choose whole grains and lean proteins to support overall health, including healthy teeth.
- Limit sugary snacks and sticky foods (like gummies, dried fruit, and candy), which can cling to teeth and increase the risk of cavities.
- Encourage water between meals and after snacks to help rinse the mouth and keep the gums hydrated.
Smart Snacking Habits
Try to keep snacks to specific times instead of grazing all day, which can increase acid attacks on teeth.
Offer tooth-friendly snacks like sliced cheese, nuts (if age-appropriate), or plain yogurt.
Don’t Forget
Brush your child’s teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (a smear for babies, a pea-sized amount for children over age 3).
Schedule regular dental checkups starting at age 1 or when the first tooth appears.
By combining good oral hygiene with smart dietary choices, you can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Tooth decay in infants can be minimized or totally prevented by not allowing sleeping infants to bottle-feed. Infants that need a bottle to comfortably fall asleep should be given a water-filled bottle or a pacifier.