It is exciting to see another stage of development milestone about seeing her to grow his/her first baby’s teeth. When to start brushing baby’s teeth? This article will share with you simple tips on baby dental care. Seeing your baby smile with the tiny tooth, it can melt your hearts away.
When a baby is turning around 6 months old, you will notice a little tiny tooth start to cut through the gum at the lower jaw. This is called baby first teeth or milk teeth to help baby to chew.
Even though the baby’s teeth is not permanent ones, they will fall out eventually. It is still important for the parents to take note that good dental care habits will ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Baby’s teeth
It is known as primary set of teeth in the growth development of a baby. The first teeth usually will be erupted (start to become visible) at the age of six months and continue until they are 25 -33 months old. They will be a total of 20 teeth.
Baby’s teeth is important for the development of child’s speech, smile and help them chew food. The primary set of teeth will also set spacing for the permanent ones. Therefore, if baby’s teeth has decayed and have to be removed prematurely, it will affect the spacing for the future teeth.
Ideally, parents shall ensure the baby’s primary set teeth are healthy until it is the time to fall out on their own.
When to start brushing baby’s teeth?
Cleaning baby’s teeth may begin when they start to have the first tooth. Use a wet clean cloth or damp gauze pad to gently wipe clean his/her gums and teeth especially after meal and before bed time.
When your baby has reached about 1 year old, you can introduce the concept of teeth-brushing. Make it into a daily routine, with some patience and persistence, baby will take some time to pick up a brush and put it in the mouth.
Sometimes, it is always better to persuade and teach your little one to form a good habit and have a sweet talk to let you help brushing those little teeth regularly. If your little one is reluctant or refuse to do it, may be it is better to let him/her see brushing your teeth or other elder sibling brushing their teeth first.
A cartoon character tooth brush and a fruit flavored toothpaste might trigger his/her interest of brushing the teeth regularly.
How to keep teeth healthy?
There are 3 ways to keep your baby’s teeth healthy besides keeping the teeth clean.
- A good diet
- Limit the sugary food intake
- Visit the dentist
A good diet
A good healthy diet consists of food rich in calcium will be essential to build strong bones and teeth. Your child has to also take enough vitamin D to help the little body to absorb more calcium from the food.
Calcium rich food includes leafy green vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, okra), oily fish (such as anchovies, sardines), nuts, dairy product (such as milk, cheese, yogurt), soy and other food in the market which are fortified with calcium.
Vitamin D can be obtained from the food besides having to expose to sunlight. Oily fish, milk, eggs and other food products which are fortified with vitamin D are good sources of vitamin D.
Limit the sugary food intake
Your child will be bound to tooth decay and cavities if you do not control his/her sugary food intake. The longer the sugar stays in the mouth, the more likely he/she is going to get tooth decays in early childhood year.
Therefore, cleaning the teeth after meal and keeping sweet, cakes, chocolate and ice cream to a minimum will help to minimize the risk of getting tooth decay.
Take a small piece of hard cheese after a sweet snack, it will neutralize the leftover sugars in the mouth!
Instead of giving your child sweet snacks, how about offering him/her vegetables sticks, fruit and yogurt?
Visit a dentist
Actually good oral care and foundation of the lifetime healthy teeth, must also include the care of dentist. Dentists will help to prevent, cure and treat teeth problems. Taking your child to see a dentist from young age will also help the little ones to familiar with the environment and understand the importance of teeth care.
Rest assure that dentists have enough experience at making children feel comfortable. Some may even offer your child a little gift as a reward of courage at the end of the session. Kids love it.
Proper dental care for baby’s teeth
- Clean your baby’s teeth at least twice a day, including once before bed time.
- Use a small tooth brush with soft bristles of differing length and a small head.
- Use a pea size toothpaste for kids
- Teach your child to spit out any excess toothpaste
- Teach your child to brush your teeth in small and circular movements
- Concentrate on one section of the teeth at one time. Make sure no food on or between the teeth
- Rinse with plenty of water after brushing
Usually, kids will not brush their teeth properly due to lack of patience. Parents shall help them brushing the teeth since small and slowly let them brush patiently once they are big enough to understand how to take care of their teeth. You may introduce electric brush for kids if you find it hard to let your child stay more than 1 minute just to brush their teeth properly.
Conclusion
Many parents thought that the primary baby teeth are not important because they will fall out eventually and grow the permanent ones. After reading this article, i hope i can change your mindset and start providing adequate dental care for your little ones.
A good set of healthy teeth will ensure your baby chew food better and able to speak fluently in future. So, proper oral care shall start as early as when the little first tooth appears!
Do you start brushing your baby’s teeth as early as 6 months old ? Do share your experience with us.
Happy reading!