Anybody who has been a new parent at one point or another in their life can tell you that parenting a young child is rarely easy. There is so much to keep in mind at all times, especially regarding your child's health. Fortunately, communities of experts can make many things much less worrisome for new parents, and this is true of pediatric dental specialists as well. If you have a newborn at home (or on the way), take a look at just three of the things you'll want to bring up soon with your preferred pediatric dentist.

Thumb Sucking

While thumb sucking is a very natural tendency for very young children, the habit's persistence into a child's toddler years can be a bit concerning. In fact, in some cases, thumb sucking can directly affect how and when a child's primary teeth begin to appear. Furthermore, unusual alignment of teeth caused by thumb sucking can, in turn, lead to problems with pronunciation later on. To avoid all of these issues, it is best that new parents speak to their pediatric dentist if they feel that their child's habit of thumb sucking is not naturally fading away.

Primary Teeth

Another concern a bit later in a child's life is that of primary teeth. Often called baby teeth, primary teeth may be cute, but it's actually very important that they fall out before the child is too old. Parents should work with their pediatric dentist to monitor which primary teeth have fallen out and which ones have not and discuss any serious issues that may arise if the primary teeth seem to be staying around a bit too stubbornly. Secondary teeth can easily be affected in a negative way by primary teeth that have not fallen out, and infection, while rare, is also a possibility. 

Cavities

Parents should also be aware that cavities are not something exclusive to older children, teenagers, and adults. Very young children can also suffer from cavities, and not addressing them as soon as possible can have very negative effects on your child's dental health. If your child is suffering from a toothache of any kind, it may be wise to talk to a pediatric dental specialist in order to determine if your child has a cavity or not. A properly diagnosed cavity can be quickly and routinely handled, and pediatric dentists can offer advice on how your child might be able to avoid them in the future.