If you are a new parent, you may be unsure about your child's dental health and well-being. This is common for many new parents as there is a lot of information and misinformation out there. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may have about your baby and dental habits, as well as the answers.

When Should My Baby Go to a Dentist for The First Time?

Most dentist's recommend that you take a child to their first dentist appointment between the ages of six to twelve months, or around the time that the first tooth or two starts to come in. While there is not much they can do at this appointment, they can teach you how to start caring for your baby's teeth and answer any dental questions you may have. They will also ensure that all of your baby's teeth are coming in properly and there are no problems with the teeth, gums, or jaw that need to be addressed. If you haven't scheduled a first appointment yet, talk with http://www.neufamilydental.com for more information.

Is There a Difference Between a Family Dentist and a Pediatric Dentist?

When selecting a dentist for your baby, you can select from a family dentist or a pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist has undergone two additional years of training in regard to baby teeth and children's dentistry needs. A family dentist undergoes the same training as a regular dentist and does not have additional schooling in regard to baby teeth and children's dental needs.

This is much like seeing a pediatrician, who has additional medical schooling studying children, versus a general practitioner who is still trained to practice medicine on a child, but does not have additional specific schooling. Only you can decide which is best for your baby.

When Should I Begin to Brush My Baby's Teeth With Toothpaste?

You should use a finger brush designed for the gums and begin lightly rubbing your baby's gums routinely when they are born. As soon as the first tooth comes in, you want to switch to a light-bristled baby brush. There are toothpastes out there that do not use fluoride. These are safe to use on babies. If you want to use a fluoride-based toothpaste, only use a tiny smear until your child is two to three years old and is spitting more of the paste out than they are swallowing.

While baby teeth will eventually fall out, adult teeth sit below the surface. If the baby teeth decay, it can affect the adult teeth. As such, you want to ensure you properly take care of your child's teeth starting when they are an infant. Getting answers to the questions you have will help you to properly do this.