Dental Care for Your Baby
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! Are you prepared for the arrival of
your baby's first tooth? Follow these guidelines and your baby will be on her way
to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Caring for Gums
Even before your baby's first tooth appears, her gums can benefit from your careful
attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap one finger with a clean, damp washcloth
or piece of gauze and gently rub it across your baby's gum tissue. This practice
both clears your little one's mouth of any fragments of food and begins the process
of building a good habit of daily oral care.
Baby's First Tooth
When that first tooth makes an entrance, it's time to upgrade to a baby toothbrush.
There are usually two options: a long-handled toothbrush that you and your baby
can hold at the same time, and a finger-puppet-like brush that fits over the tip
of your pointer finger. In each case the bristles are soft and few.
At this stage, toothpaste isn't necessary; just dip the brush in water before brushing.
If your little one doesn't react well to the introduction of a toothbrush, don't
give up. Switch back to a damp washcloth for a few months, then try the toothbrush
again. During the teething process your child will want to chew on just about anything
and a baby toothbrush with a teether can become a favorite toy during this period.
Brushing with Toothpaste
When a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste with your child's brush.
For the first two years, be sure to choose toothpaste that does not contain fluoride,
unless advised otherwise by your dentist, because too much fluoride can be dangerous
for youngsters. At this stage, use only a tiny amount of toothpaste. From the beginning,
have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing to prepare
her for fluoride toothpaste, which should not be swallowed at any age.
Avoiding Cavities
Don't give your baby any sort of sweetened liquids such as flavored drinks or soda.
Even the sugars present in fruit juice, formula, and milk (this goes for breast
milk as well) can cause decay, so regular tooth and gum cleaning is vital. Also,
make sure your baby never goes to bed with a bottle — sugary liquids in prolonged
contact with her teeth are a guarantee for early-childhood decay, also called baby-bottle
caries.
First Visit to the Dentist
It's recommended that you bring your baby in for a visit within six months of the
first tooth's eruption — usually around her first birthday. Because decay
can occur in even the smallest of teeth, the earlier your baby visits us, the more
likely she is to avoid problems. We'll look for any signs of early problems with
your baby's oral heath, and check in with you about the best way to care for her
teeth. Remember that preparing for each dental visit with a positive attitude goes
a long way toward making your child comfortable with regular checkups.
Setting a Good Example
As part of the natural learning process, little ones are expert mimics, and you
can take advantage of this talent. Brush and floss daily while your child is watching,
and she'll intuit at an early age the importance of your good habits. As soon as
she shows interest, give her a toothbrush of her own and encourage her to "brush"
with you. (You'll find toothbrushes with chunky, short handles that are easy for
her to grip.) Most children don't have the dexterity necessary to thoroughly clean
their own teeth until they're about six or seven, so you'll have to do that part
of the job for her. Try different tactics to make brushing fun: flavored toothpaste,
a toothbrush with a favorite character on it, or singing songs about brushing. The
primary goal is to instill healthy oral habits at an early age to set your child
up for a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth!
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