Infant
Bring your child in for a checkup by his or her first birthday. We will check for decay and other problems, teach you how to clean your child’s teeth daily and identify your child’s fluoride needs. By starting early, you’ll help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

Serious tooth decay can develop as soon as your baby gets teeth. Even though these primary teeth will eventually be replaced with permanent ones, baby’s first teeth are critical for proper chewing, speaking and appearance. Baby bottle tooth decay can occur when an infant is allowed to nurse continuously from a bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night. If these liquids pool around the child’s teeth during sleep, serious decay can result. To avoid this give your baby only water bottles at night or naptime. And never dip a pacifier into sugar or honey.

When babies are teething their gums may be sore and tender. Try gently rubbing baby’s gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze. Chewing on a clean teething ring may also help soothe the pain. Teething does not cause a fever. An elevated temperature needs to be addressed as a separate medical concern. If your baby continues to be cranky and uncomfortable despite your attempts to ease teething pain, call your physician.