Your baby’s first tooth is a wonderful milestone, and many parents cherish those gorgeous one-tooth smiles as much as they do those first toothless, gummy grins. However, as more teeth emerge, you may wonder how to look after your baby’s first teeth and if dental care and hygiene for babies are as important as they are for older kids and adults.
To help answer some of the questions you may have about caring for your baby’s precious first pearly whites, we spoke to Dr. Scott Chao of Dental Icon Pte Ltd. Here’s what he had to say about how to look after your baby’s first teeth.
“When should I schedule my baby’s first dental appointment?”
The general rule is “First tooth, First birthday, First dental visit.” Follow-ups should be every 6 months for regular check-ups and maintenance. More frequent follow-ups may be needed, such as every 3-4 months, if the child has more severe oral health problems.
“When must I start cleaning my baby’s first tooth/teeth?”
You can start cleaning your baby’s mouth just weeks after birth, even though they will most often be toothless (although some newborns are born with a tooth!). Use gauze and distilled or tap water to clean the slimy milky films off the palate, tongue, cheeks, and gums. Follow this same method when their first teeth emerge.
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The best way to maintain your baby’s dental hygiene at home
Try to keep things as simple as possible:
- For small babies, gauze and distilled or tap water are adequate.
- For toddlers, use a finger brush and whichever toothpaste the child likes.
- Clean or brush your child’s teeth at least 2 times a day for best results. Ideally, clean their teeth after each feeding or meal.
- It’s especially important to clean your child’s teeth after any meals or feeding at night because sugars from those meals can be detrimental to their teeth.
Is eating sweet things very harmful to your baby’s teeth?
Yes, sweets can be harmful to the teeth. However, completely avoiding sweets can make life less enjoyable for kids. If your child likes sweets, parents need to be vigilant and emphasize the prevention of tooth decay by brushing or cleaning your child’s teeth after every sweet treat.
Does your baby need fluoride?
A lot of parents are against fluoride, citing potential dangers. However, reliable sources like the ADA (American Dental Association), Journal of American Dental Association, and American Journal of Dentistry suggest fluoride does more good than harm. Consider using a kids’ toothpaste that contains fluoride for your little one.
How much toothpaste should you use for your baby?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
- A ‘smear’ of fluoridated toothpaste is adequate for children less than 2 years of age.
- A ‘pea-size’ amount of toothpaste is appropriate for kids aged 2-5 years.
What kind of toothbrush should you buy for your baby?
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Your child’s toothbrush doesn’t have to be fancy. Any toothbrush that your child is willing to use is adequate.
Should you floss your baby’s teeth?
Ideally, a child’s teeth should be flossed as soon as they come through. However, if parents attempt to floss too much, it might discourage the child from maintaining good oral hygiene. It’s more important that the child brushes all their teeth for an entire 2 minutes, especially the hard-to-reach ones than to worry too much about flossing.
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What are the best food for your baby’s teeth?
Vitamin D
An essential vitamin that can help prevent dental cavities. It can be found in:
- Fatty fish (tuna, mackerel, salmon)
- Foods fortified with vitamin D (some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, cereals)
- Cheese and egg yolks
Calcium
This nutrient contributes to healthy teeth and can be found in:
- Dairy products
- Dark leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Almonds
Remember
Some of your baby’s milk teeth stay in the mouth until they are 11 or 12 years old, and if these teeth are lost too early due to decay or poor dental hygiene, it can affect their eating ability, speech, and positioning of adult teeth. While many parents complain that their children dislike having their teeth cleaned, Dr. Chao explains that starting to clean your child’s mouth from a very young age can reduce resistance as they get older. Establishing a regular teeth-cleaning routine every day will make brushing their teeth a normal part of your child’s daily routine, making it less likely for them to resist.
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
