7 Tips for Baby Tooth Care
Table of Contents
You have spent months watching your baby struggle with no teeth and then finally, you see a tiny white tooth peeping out his gums. Oh! What a joy that is! Now that your baby’s lil’ tooth has given you the green signal, it is your job to start taking care of them. Now with a little baby in the house, you probably have a lot on your to-do list. You might choose to casually ignore the milk teeth and convince yourself that they are anyways temporary but their health is essential for your toddler’s gums and will pave the way for his future permanent teeth.
Here are 7 tips you should keep in mind when it comes to taking care of your baby’s teeth:
Take a headstart: Extra care never really hurts anyone. It is important for you to start cleaning your baby’s mouth way before his teeth start to set in. After each feeding, wipe off his mouth and gum with a wet, soft cloth to eliminate the residue stuck to his gums. Clean gums ensure a healthy start for your toddler’s milk teeth.
Act as soon as you see them: As soon as you witness a lil’ tooth trying to burst out of his little baby gums, start taking care of it. Milk teeth might be temporary but they set the spacing for your baby’s permanent teeth and if they decay, they can lead to gingivitis. They also play a very pivotal in your child’s chewing and talking development.
Brush them off: Babies usually start developing milk teeth around the 6-month mark and you need to start brushing them as soon as they appear. Brush twice a day, gently over and under his teeth using a soft bristle toothbrush. Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste and replace the toothbrush as soon the bristles start to wear off.
Choose the right teething ring: Give your child teething rings of various shapes and sizes and stick to the one which he prefers the most. It is ideal to choose a ring made of solid rubber as the liquid filled ones tend to break and can damage the soft, sensitive gums of your toddler.
Be on the lookout for cavities: Tooth decay occurs in toddlers when bacteria within the mouth begin to eat away at the milk teeth due to negligence and inadequate dental care leading to discoloration and minor pitting Cavities can result in years of discomfort and pain for your child.
Avoid cold items: In the initial months, your baby’s gums are extremely sensitive and can be harmed by cold or frozen objects. Ensure that you wipe your baby’s gums with a mildly warm washcloth, a 'not so cold' teether and avoid direct contact with extremely cold food items.
Take your child for regular dentist check-ups: Your child can start seeing a dentist as early as the age of 1. The dentist can give you advice about the right toothpaste, fluoride levels in toothpaste, sensitivity levels, teething, thumb sucking and overall tooth care for your baby.
Need more tips? Consult a pediatrician 24x7 on DocsApp.
Help is just an app away!
Team DocsApp.
