As a mother, nothing can light up your life the way your child does. A simple smile can fill your heart with ecstasy. But did you know that recent research has yielded scientific proof of this phenomenon. Your Erlanger dentist, Dr. Darlene Henry, discusses this research as well as your baby’s oral health to help you protect the smile you love so much.

A Mother’s Response to Her Child’s Smile

In a recent experiment, researchers showed mothers pictures of babies experiencing a wide range of emotions. Among these images were pictures of their own babies’. The results were quite interesting, although perhaps not unexpected. By measuring each of the women’s brain activity in response to these images, researchers found that those portions of the brain associated with euphoria were triggered significantly when the women were shown pictures of their own children smiling. When their children were crying or sad, however, the activity in these areas of the brain was almost nonexistent. To read more about the experiment, click on the following link: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=smiles-and-mother-baby-bond.

Caring for Your Baby’s Smile

Oral care is very important in children. Although baby teeth are not permanent, a good oral health regimen, including regular brushing and flossing and consistent dental visits with your Erlanger children’s dentist, Dr. Henry, are vital. Tooth decay in baby teeth can lead to infections capable of spreading throughout the body. If a child loses a baby tooth too early, he or she may also have orthodontic problems in the future. Thus, it is important to make caring for your baby’s teeth and gums a priority. Schedule your baby’s first dental visit around his or her first birthday. Also, be sure clean your child’s gums with gauze or a washcloth before and during teething.

Schedule a Visit with Your Erlanger Children’s Dentist

Children should also attend dental visits once every six months. Professional cleanings can remove plaque and tartar from areas they miss and reinforce good oral hygiene habits. To schedule an appointment with your Erlanger children’s dentist, call our 41018 dentist office at 859-344-8500. We serve patients from Erlanger, Cincinnati, Crestview Hills, Fort Mitchell, Florence, Union, Independence, and Taylor Mill.