Having a toddler is one of the greatest gifts that life can give us. We love spending time with our babies and helping them grow and flourish. You might think that taking a toddler to the pediatric dentist in West Orange, NJ, is unnecessary, but it’s actually a great idea. Even though baby teeth will eventually be lost, there are tons of good reasons to keep them healthy. Finding a great pediatric dentist for your toddlers can help you make sure that they have proper dental health for the rest of their youth.
We recommend that toddlers have their first pediatric dental appointment by the time that they reach a year old. This is because dental decay can start to happen as soon as the first teeth have appeared. Below, we will discuss some of the most common tooth problems for toddlers so that you can familiarize yourself with what to watch out for and understand the importance of taking your toddlers to the pediatric dentist in West Caldwell, NJ, sooner rather than later.
Tooth Decay
Toddlers can start to experience tooth decay from drinking liquids that contain sugars from their bottles. Keep in mind that any fruit juice, milk, and formula is likely to have sugar contents. That means your toddlers are at risk for tooth decay while they are drinking from their bottle. Tooth decay can lead to future dental health issues and should be taken seriously. The last thing you want for your toddler is crooked teeth or an infection. If you think your baby might be experiencing toddler tooth decay, schedule an appointment with the pediatric dentist in Bloomfield, NJ, today.
Tongue Thrusting Issues
It’s likely that your toddler will be a curious and playful child. Many toddlers are known to enjoy thrusting their tongues against their lips as a habit. This can put pressure on the front teeth and cause alignment issues, overbites, and speech development problems. If you notice that your toddler has formed this habit, take them to the pediatric dentist to get things squared away.
Thumb Sucking
Babies love to suck their thumbs. It’s a totally normal part of childhood development that gives babies a sense of emotional comfort. However, after your toddler’s teeth have started to emerge, thumb sucking can cause serious dental health issues if it is not properly dealt with.