Baby Tooth Care Tips
Change the diapers, feed the baby by bottle or breast, bathe the baby, rock the baby, dress the baby, and don’t forget to take care of baby’s teeth. The list of parental duties is long, and neglecting oral care is probably a common oversight. The reality is that dental care should start early, to prevent tooth decay. The following are some helpful tips.
Don’t Wait for Tooth 1
The dentist doesn’t want you to wait until your baby’s first tooth comes in to schedule a dental appointment. The experts suggest that babies see their dentist starting at around 6 months of age. The most important benefit is learning what you should be doing to protect your child’s teeth. On a regular basis, even still-toothless babies need their mouths regularly cleaned. You can either use a damp cloth or a special contraption you can buy to gently wipe and massage your baby’s gums.
Care for those Baby Teeth
Sure, baby teeth are going to fall out someday. But they are actually just as important as the permanent adult teeth. Baby teeth play very important roles as place-holders for the teeth to come. If the baby teeth need to be removed, it can have a negative effect on permanent dentition. Brush your baby’s teeth twice daily, though toothpaste isn’t required. Do not use fluoridated toothpaste for babies or small toddlers.
Introducing Toothpaste!
Once toddlers are around 2, brushing teeth is easier if it can be more fun. Allow your child to choose his or her own toothbrush. Buy non-fluoridated toothpaste of their choice. Somewhere between age 3 and 5, when the child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste, you can safely start using fluoridated toothpaste.
Prevent Cavities
Cavities are never a good thing. It’s important to protect your child’s teeth. Never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle in his or her mouth. Not even milk is safe, since milk has sugar. When a sugary drink pools in the baby’s mouth during sleep, the process of tooth decay is at work. Avoiding or limiting sweet juices is also a good cavity-prevention practice.
Serve After-Meal Water
A great practice in the effort to avoid cavities is to have your baby drink water after meals. This helps to wash away the food debris in the mouth. If your child cooperates and drinks the water, most of the food particles that cause decay in the teeth are washed away.
Regular Check-ups
Make it a habit to keep regular appointments at the dentist. This is the best strategy for protecting your child’s teeth and avoiding dental problems. Dental health is actually very important for overall health. So the benefits of baby tooth care are far-reaching.
As the parent of a little one, you have a busy life. Adding oral care to the routine is important but don’t worry! It will pay off dividends someday when your child smiles at you and flashes a mouthful of healthy, pearly whites.
