Baby Dental Care

Before you spot the white bud getting ready to show as a first tooth looking after gums can ensure healthy baby tooth growth.By wiping down your babies gums with a moistened wash-cloth or gauze twice a day will get rid of bacteria and prevent it from clinging to the gums. Bacteria can leave behind a sticky plaque that damages infant teeth as they erupt.

Babies get their first teeth between 5 and 9 months. It can also happen earlier or much later, this does not mean that your baby is “forward” or “backward”, all it means is that that toothless smile is gone forever . For most babies ,the big sign that teeth are coming through is teething. You know when your baby is teething when they are dribbling and chewing on everything. Luckily the first teeth are flat and sharp that they cut through the gum with nothing more than a notable inflammed gum. You can ease the pain by giving them teething ring that they can bite on, or a cold spoon to numb the gum for short time.

Once the first teeth have erupted, a toothbrush can be introduced. Choose a baby toothbrush with small head, soft brush and a large handle. Wetting the toothbrush is enough to clean the teeth for a the first few months. At around age 1, start using a pea-sized amount of non-fluoride toothpaste until age 2. Brushing gently around your child’s teeth in a circle movement is the best way. Once your child can hold the toothbrush continue to supervise until he/she can spit and rinse without assistance.

Providing that there are no problems beforehand, a child should have their first dental visit by age 1. During this visit, the dentist can offer information on fluoride / non-fluoride toothpaste, baby tooth care, teething and thumb sucking, The first visit is usually short , the dentist will take a look at your childs, gums teeth and bite. Your dentist will inform of your next visit which is usually between 6 months and a year.

Most mothers’ feel anxious about the first trip to the dentist and want it to run smooth and prevent the fear from gripping their child like with so many others. There are so many things that a mother can do to help with this. Playing dentist at home with your baby is a a great way to help you first dental visit run smoothly.Asking him/her to open there mouth and look at their teeth, then allowing the child to do the same and be dentist,this has a great psychological affect and the baby will feel like it is play time at the dentist. When arriving at the dentist try make him/her excited and curios about the visit as much as possible and having a positive attitude will reflect on your child. Ask your dentist for a show and tell of instruments that will be used like a mirror and probe. A great one is the chair moving up and down!!!!

In addition to caring for baby teeth, you need to protect them. To help prevent cavities, only fill your baby's bottle with milk formula, breast milk and water. Try to avoid giving babies soda or fizzy drinks as sugar can settle on teeththat lead to tooth decay. If you give your baby a bottle or sippy cup when napping only fill it with water and avoid putting anything sweet on a soother such as honey or sugar.

If you would like to learn more on baby dental care or schedule your baby’s first appointment then contact TourMedical at :

If you would like to learn about dental care in older children please see out next blog.