At Hinsdale Dentistry, we are committed to educating patients of all ages on dental care. We know that mothers have many questions about their babies’ oral health. Your Hinsdale Family Dentist helps answer those questions below.

1. Mothers-to-be benefit from visiting the dentist.

According to the Academy of Periodontology, 50 percent of women get “pregnancy gingivitis,” a gum disease that makes gums sore and swollen. Research show pregnant women with gum disease may be more likely to give birth to low-weight or pre term babies. It’s recommended that women get a thorough dental exam if they are planning to become pregnant to get their teeth professionally cleaned while expecting.

2. Good oral health begins at birth.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that care for a child’s gums begins at birth. Caregivers should gently wipe the baby’s gums with a soft, wet cloth after each feeding. When primary teeth begin to appear, they should be cleaned with a soft, child-sized toothbrushes and a pea-sized dab of children’s toothpaste, twice per day.

3. Caring means not sharing when it comes to cavities.

Sharing a spoon or straw with a child or cleaning a pacifier with your mouth can transfer bacteria from the caregiver’s mouth into the child’s mouth, increasing the child’s risk for cavities. Caregivers should avoid sharing utensils with a child and pacifiers should always be washed with soap and water, rinsed, and then returned to the baby.

4. Baby’s first dentist visit.

Most children fail to see their family dentist at a young enough age. After over 30 years of treating our friends’ and family’s dental needs in Hinsdale, we recommend that you bring your child in for their first dental visit by the age of 3. It is also recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that a child’s first dental visit should occur within six months of the presence of the first tooth.

Hinsdale Dentistry supports programs that focus on preventing dental disease, expanding access to care, advancing dental science and understanding the connections between oral and overall health. Contact us at (630)323-4468 to book a complimentary appointment for you and your child or book an appointment online.