Babies like to be comforted when they’re going to sleep. If you’re a parent, it’s nice to give your baby the comfort they need when they’re drifting off. Unfortunately, bottles at bedtime aren’t always a great option for babies.

Although some babies like to drink bottles as they’re falling asleep, there are some downsides to drinking bottles in the crib. Your child’s pediatric dentist in Seminole and St. Petersburg, FL, can help. We can answer your questions about baby bottle tooth decay. Here’s what you need to know.

Falling Asleep With a Bottle Can Lead to Tooth Decay

When sugars from baby formula sit on your baby’s tooth enamel overnight, those sugars turn into acid. If your baby’s teeth have come in, this can lead to early tooth decay. Babies can get cavities too! Even if your baby doesn’t have any teeth, stopping the bottle habit can be hard when your baby does get teeth.

How to Avoid a Bedtime Bottle Habit

The best way to avoid a bedtime bottle habit is to avoid giving your baby a bottle in their crib. Babies that get a bottle in the crib may start to need the bottle to sleep. The longer this habit goes on, the more the baby thinks they need a bottle to fall asleep. If you’re having a hard time getting your baby to sleep, consult with their doctor to identify alternatives.

When to Bring Your Child for Their First Dental Appointment

Babies should have their first pediatric dental appointment in Seminole and St. Petersburg, FL, around age 1. Call today to make an appointment.

In the first year or two, babies enjoy sucking on pacifiers to help them manage stress. Pacifiers can keep babies quiet in public places, can help them learn to self-soothe at bedtime, and can give your baby something to do when nothing else is available. In other words, pacifiers can be good for your baby and a relief for you.

But, are pacifiers bad for your baby’s teeth? Working with yourdentist in Seminole, FL, can help you decide whether the pacifier impacts your baby’s teeth, and, if so, what you should do about it.

Pacifiers Have Few Dental Effects At First
When babies are very young, using a pacifier does not affect their oral health or the shape of their teeth and jaw. In fact, many babies don’t even have very many teeth when they’re using a pacifier.

Pacifiers Can Become Problematic As Your Child Ages
As your child gets older, using a pacifier can become problematic. This becomes especially true if your child is still using a pacifier when they start to get permanent teeth.

Is Using a Pacifier Better than Sucking a Thumb?
Pacifier use and thumb sucking can have a similar impact on your child’s oral health and development. It’s important to stop both before your child’s permanent teeth enter.

Are Orthodontic Pacifiers Better?
Some pacifiers are designed to have a more natural shape that helps limit the effects of the pacifier on the mouth. While the shape does help limit your child’s risk, these pacifiers can still be problematic for your child’s teeth.

Take Your Child To the Dentist
You can take these questions to your child’s dentist when you bring them in for their firstdental examination in Seminole, FL. Call Luce Tooth Pediatric Dentistry to make their appointment today.

Is your child feeling nervous about visiting the dentist? For some people, visiting the dentist in Seminole, FL, can be stressful. Fortunately, there are many things your child can do to make their trip to the dentist easier and more pleasant. Below are three suggestions that can make visiting the dentist easier for all of you.

1. Bring Music or a Podcast
This is a good solution for an older child. If they like to listen to music, or if they have a favorite podcast they enjoy, load up a phone or other handheld device with the sounds they like most. Don’t forget to charge the battery before they go to their dentist appointment, then have them put in their headphones before the dentist appointment begins.

2. Talk About What To Expect
Some kids get nervous when they don’t know what to expect. For younger children, having a conversation with mom or dad can help smooth the way to a less scary experience at the dentist. In addition, reading your child’s books about visiting the dentist can give them an idea of what to expect.

3. Bring Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist
Pediatric dentists are set up to help children feel more comfortable at their appointments. Pediatric dentists often have toys and comforting items in the waiting room and also know how to make the dental environment more comfortable for children overall. This can make the experience more enjoyable and less scary for your child.

4. Talk to the Dentist, Work Out a Plan
Your child’s dentist can help them feel less stress during their appointments. Call your child’s dentist at Luce Tooth Pediatric Dentistry before their next pediatric dental exam in Seminole, FL. This helps make your appointments more comfortable and relaxing.

Your baby just started growing teeth – why do they need to visit the dentist in Seminole, FL already? There are many reasons! Knowing when and why you should take your child to the dentist is important. Here’s what you need to know about why it’s important to take your child to their first dental cleaning.

1. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Recommends It

Industry experts like the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that patients see the dentist for the first time by the time they turn one year old. At Luce Tooth Pediatric Dentistry we follow these recommendations to help ensure that your child will have healthy teeth and gums starting from a young age.

2. Your Child Will Get Comfortable With The Dentist

Bringing your child to the dentist early can help them get used to being around the dentist. Some kids can be nervous around healthcare professionals and dentists, so taking steps to help your child feel familiar and comfortable in the dentist chair is important.

3. You’ll Show Your Child You’re Serious About Their Dental Hygiene

Your child’s dental hygiene is important. By taking your child to the dentist from an early age, you’ll show your child that you expect them to keep their teeth healthy and clean.

4. You’ll Learn How to Care for Their Teeth

Taking care of a baby’s teeth is a little different from caring for your own teeth. At the dentist office, you’ll learn best practices when helping your baby brush their teeth.

5. The Dentist Can Catch Problems In Their Earliest Stages

When you bring your baby in for a tooth cleaning and examination in Seminole, FL, the dentist will have a chance to look for dental problems, and make recommendations for treatment. Did your baby just turn one? Make an appointment today!