How to Brush and Care for Baby Teeth: A Comprehensive Guide
Taking care of your child's baby teeth is crucial for their overall health and development.
While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a significant role in helping your child chew, speak, and maintain space for their permanent teeth. Loosing baby teeth too early can lead to issues and complications in the future.
Establishing good oral hygiene habits early on sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to brush, clean, and look after your baby’s teeth. We cover:
When to start brushing your baby’s teeth
How to brush their teeth properly
Diet and oral hygiene tips
The importance of regular dental visits and good routines
The use of dummies
When to Start Cleaning Baby Teeth
Oral care should begin even before your baby’s first tooth appears. Gently wiping your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth or your finger after feedings can remove bacteria and sugars, creating a healthy environment for their emerging teeth.
It also gets them used to the feeling of having their mouth cleaned so that they are less resistant to it when they are older.
Brushing Baby Teeth: Step-by-Step
Choose the Right Tools: Use a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush designed for infants. Look for toothbrushes with large handles that are easy for parents to grip. You can use an electric toothbrush if you wish, but right now, a manual one may do.
Use the Right Amount of Toothpaste: For children under three years old, use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste only. For children aged three to six, a small pea-sized amount is sufficient.
Proper Brushing Technique:
Position: Sit your baby on your lap, facing away from you. Cradle their head with your arm for stability.
Brush: Gently brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth using small, circular motions. Make sure to clean along the gum line.
Time: Brush for about two minutes twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed.
Rinse and Spit: Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing, but do not rinse with water, as this reduces the beneficial effects of the fluoride.
Establishing a Routine
Consistency: Make brushing a regular part of your child’s daily routine. Consistency helps develop good habits.
Make It Fun: Use songs, timers, or toothbrushes with your child’s favourite characters to make brushing enjoyable.
Lead by Example: Let your child see you brushing and flossing your teeth. Children often imitate their parent’s behaviours.
Diet and Oral Health
Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks: Sugary foods and drinks can contribute to tooth decay. Offer water instead of juice, and limit sugary snacks.
Healthy Snacks: Provide nutritious snacks like fruits, vegetables, cheese, and yoghurt. These foods promote healthy teeth and gums.
Avoid Nighttime Bottles: Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice, as this can lead to tooth decay. If necessary, offer a bottle of water instead.
Decay, or the formation of cavities, occurs when sugars are left in your mouth for a long time. Even a small amount of sugar can have a significant impact.
Encourage your child to drink lots of plain water and limit snacking to ensure their teeth are free from food debris after they eat.
Leaving your baby with a bottle of milk at night when they have teeth is extremely damaging and can cause rampant tooth decay. Once your child has their fortst tooth try and stop the habit of nighttime bottle feeding as soon as possible.
Severely decayed baby teeth due to nighttime bottle feeding
Regular Dental Visits
Schedule your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Early visits help catch potential issues early and get your child used to the dentist.
Continue with regular dental check-ups every six months. Your dentist can provide personalised advice on caring for your child’s teeth and monitor their oral health.
The Use of Dummies
Dummies (or pacifiers) can be a soothing tool for babies, helping them to calm down and sleep.
However, prolonged use of dummies or a thumb-sucking habit can impact your child's dental health.
Extended use, especially beyond the age of two, can lead to misalignment of teeth and affect the shape of the mouth. The dummy will push the front part of the upper jaw forward and upwards, leading to your child having a bit overjet or an open bite.
It's important to ensure that dummies are clean and used appropriately. If possible, limit dummy use to nap times and bedtime.
Gradually weaning your child off the dummy by the age of three can help prevent any potential dental issues.
If you're concerned about your child's dummy use and its effects on their teeth, consult your dentist for personalised advice.
Teething Care
Relieve Discomfort: Teething can be uncomfortable. You can offer a clean, cool teething ring or a damp washcloth for your baby to chew on.
Read our guide on how to manage teething in babies here.
Conclusion
Caring for your baby’s teeth is an essential part of their overall health.
By establishing good oral hygiene habits early on, you can help ensure your child has a healthy, happy smile that lasts a lifetime.
Remember, consistency is key, and regular dental visits play a crucial role in maintaining your child’s oral health.
Start early, stay diligent, and your child will be on the path to excellent dental health.
