Ankeny Dentist: Love Your Baby’s Smile

If you are a mother, think about the way you feel when you baby smiles at you. If you are an expecting mother, imagine that blissful feeling. Nothing warms a mother’s heart like her baby’s smile, and science is there to prove it. Recent research shows that mothers who simply look at their babies’ smiles activate a region of the brain associated with feelings of euphoria. Talk about a powerful smile! So if you’re a new mother or an expecting mother, you’ll want to do everything in your power to protect those teeth. Your Ankeny children’s dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, discusses what you can do to help your baby’s smile be as radiant as possible.

Your Baby’s Smile During Pregnancy

Just as so many other things can affect your child during pregnancy, so too can your oral health. Maintaining a good oral health regimen is a great first step toward a healthy mouth for your child. Brush twice a day and floss once a day. Bacteria that linger in your mouth can pass on to your baby, so be sure to continue seeing Dr. Peddicord regularly for dental checkups and cleanings. Dental visits are best before pregnancy and during the second trimester. Also, look to limit your sugar intake and get plenty of vitamins and nutrients. Vitamins A, C, and D play a major role in the development of a baby’s teeth.

Your Baby’s Smile After Pregnancy

Your baby’s first dental visit should occur around his or her first birthday. During this visit, your child will begin to develop a relationship with Dr. Peddicord. Although the visit may result in little treatment, a major focus of early dental visits is developing good oral hygiene. During these visits, your child will learn the basics of proper oral care to set a good foundation for years to come.

Schedule a Visit with Your Ankeny Children’s Dentist

Is it time for your child’s first dental visit? If so, schedule a visit with your Ankeny children’s dentist, Dr. Peddicord, today by calling 515-963-3339. Our 50021 dentist office welcomes patients from Ankeny, Bondurant, Cambridge, Sheldal, Maxwell, Collins, and all surrounding communities.