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Your Infant's Mouth

 

What can I expect when caring for my infant's mouth?

You have a lot to think about, but your baby's mouth might not be something you've considered. Soon after a baby is born, your doctor or nurse will examine his or her body, including the mouth. They are looking at your baby's gums, tongue and soft palate to check that they are fully developed and ready to feed.

What are common newborn baby dental or mouth issues?

  • Epstein's pearls— Epstein's pearls are called pearls because of their appearance. They are white-ish pearl spots that can appear on the roof or hard palate of your baby's mouth.
  • Bohn's nodules— These small, white spots appear on what is titled the anterior maxillary alveolus, or the upper part of the gums above where your baby's teeth will come in.
  • Inclusion cysts— These small bumps appear along the crest of the gum ridge.


All of these bumps or cysts are considered harmless, tend to go away after a few weeks, and will not interfere with feeding.

  • Natal and neonatal teeth—Sometimes babies are born with one or more teeth; these are called natal teeth. And some babies will have teeth come in within the first 30 days of life, which are called neonatal teeth. Because these are the primary, or baby teeth, and not additional teeth, it's best that you try to keep them if possible. However, your dentist may recommend removing them if they are loose, are irritating the tongue or lip, or are interfering with feeding.

How should I care for my infant's mouth?

In most cases, your newborn baby won't have teeth, but you should still take care to clean his or her mouth. Soon after birth, you can start the habit of washing their gums. Even if they are a little fussy at first, no worries, they will adjust to this cleaning the same way they do to being bathed. It can even be a soothing practice for some infants as it becomes part of their daily routine.

Three steps to cleaning your baby's mouth:

  1. Position your baby on your lap, placing the head close to your chest so that you have a clear view into their mouth.
  2. Use a damp, clean washcloth and gently rub along the upper and lower gums. You can also find terrycloth finger cots at most drugstores made specifically for this purpose.
  3. When teeth do come in, it is time to switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush. There are infant-sized brushes made to accommodate their smaller mouths and jawlines. Make sure that you use a small dot of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) for children under the age of 3. Using a small amount of paste will make it easier to monitor that they are not ingesting too much toothpaste before they learn how to spit it out.


Just like you, you should clean their teeth twice a day — once after breakfast and once after the last feeding of the day.

 

What should I do when my baby starts teething?

Your baby will begin teething any time between three and nine months. Most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth by age 2½ or 3. Teething typically starts with the lower two front teeth (incisors). The timing will vary considerably among children, even siblings; however, the order is predictable.

  • Four incisors on both the upper and lower jaw
  • Molars
  • Canines (eye teeth)
  • Second molars (farther back in the jaw)


With some children, teething can go by almost unnoticed, but many times it can be stressful for parents and children alike. You may find your usually smiley baby may be more irritable, fussy or restless, and sometimes it can cause drooling or a loss of appetite. Just know that teething doesn't cause other symptoms such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea, so if your child is experiencing those symptoms, it is best to consult with your primary care physician.

 

How can I ease my child's teething discomfort?

  • Utilize a hard or cold teething ring, allowing them to chew when they are showing signs of discomfort
  • Use a clean finger and apply gentle pressure, rubbing across the gums

 

What are some pacifier tips?

If your child uses a pacifier, you can make sure they are using it safely. Consider switching the pacifier for a teething ring to help with discomfort.


Choose a pacifier that:

  • Has holes that ventilate on the side to allow for proper airflow in and out
  • Is large enough so that your child can't swallow it
  • Is made of one piece. Two-piece pacifiers can allow for smaller parts that can cause a choking hazard
  • Is made of a flexible, non-toxic material
  • Has a handle that is easy to grasp


Before giving a pacifier to your child, give it a quick once over to make sure there are no rips or tears. If the pacifier is torn, it is time to replace it.

 

Will my baby's sucking habits cause any harm?

You shouldn't worry, it is very typical, and even healthy for your baby to suck on a thumb or pacifier. You shouldn't feel the need to discourage the behavior while they are babies, as it is a normal reflex that your baby learned while still in the womb.


Most children usually give up sucking habits on their own by the time they turn 3 to 4 years old. As long as they stop the practice in that age range, it should not affect the shape of the jaw and the teeth should grow normally. However, some children find the sucking habit a hard one to break. If your child falls into this category, talk to your dentist about ways to help them break the habit. When their permanent or adult teeth start to come in, if your child is still sucking on a pacifier or thumb, it can cause dental issues that could follow them into adulthood.


Prolonged sucking can cause:

  • The teeth on the top row to slant outwards
  • The teeth on the bottom row to tilt inwards
  • Misalignment of the upper and lower jaw


The level of distortion of the teeth will depend on how often, how long, and how intensely the child is sucking. Early intervention is your best tool to avoid any of these issues. And if it is needed, your dentist can prescribe dental appliances that help correct any distortions.

 

What can I do to encourage my child to quit sucking a finger or thumb?

  • Positive reinforcement - track progress by noting days that they successfully keep from sucking
  • Provide information to the child as to why you want them to stop
  • If they suck their thumb due to stress, work to remove the stressor from their routine
  • Take the finger out of your child's mouth after he or she falls asleep.


Caring for your infant's mouth is essential from day one, both to allow for easy feeding and to allow for healthy teeth to grow in. It is recommended that your child visit the dentist anywhere between 6 months to 1 year in age, or before the first tooth erupts. Always consult your dentist at any time with questions to make sure you are providing proper dental care for your baby.


Nothing can replace the joy you feel when your baby smiles at you, whether it a toothless grin or a cute gap-toothed smile after they lose their first tooth. Early dental care sets them up for success.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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