Your Baby Has Two Teeth. Now What?
When your child has two teeth that touch, you’ll need to do a little more to prevent decay from setting in. Here are the steps you should take.
Your sweet baby is growing up. Instead of a smile full of slobber and gums, you see two teeth shining through. You know more are on the way.
At Miller Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we’re ready to be your partner in infant oral health. We can tell you all about how to keep your child’s smile shining bright.
Your at-home work matters too. Here’s what you should know.
Care For Your Baby’s Teeth
Researchers say most families put infant oral health on the back burner. Most kids don’t see a dentist until they’re about 3 years old. In reality, your child should see a dentist as soon as those teeth pop through the gums.
You should also take care of baby’s teeth at home. When your child has two teeth, parents should:
- Brush. Use a soft-bristled brush with just a tiny swipe of paste. Brush quickly but carefully to remove plaque and bacteria.
- Floss. If the teeth touch, rub a piece of dental floss in the space to remove trapped food and plaque.
- Inspect. Encourage your child to open wide and let you look inside. This skill comes in handy during dental appointments.
Take these steps, and your child may not need significant help from a dentist. We may not need to take child teeth x-rays to discover how deep a cavity goes, for example. But we still expect to see you regularly for exams.
Get Emergency Dental Help When Needed
Tiny babies aren’t light on their feet. They run, trip, and fall. Often, they land right on their open mouths.
Some issues don’t require emergency dental help. For example, experts say something like a toothache could be treated with at-home care, at least at first.
But other problems, including cracked teeth, require emergency dental help. We might need to perform child teeth x-rays to assess the damage and determine a path forward.
We are always available for emergency dental help. If you need us, just reach out.