If your baby's teeth have started coming in, you may be wondering when would be the ideal time to start providing dental care for them. As soon as the teeth are emerging, you should start brushing them. If you have never provided dental care for an infant, use the tips below to help get you started.
1. Brush Your Baby's Teeth With a Nubbed Toothbrush
When it comes time to brush your baby's teeth, you may be uncertain as to which type of tool you should use. Since their gum tissue is tender and sensitive, you do not want to use a regular toothbrush as it would irritate their gums.
At first, you could use your fingertip to massage the gums and clean around the few teeth that have grown in. However, as more teeth emerge, switch to a nubbed toothbrush designed especially for babies. This type of tool helps clean the enamel and gums without being too harsh.
When you do clean your baby's teeth, use as little pressure as possible to keep from hurting their mouth. If your baby looks uncomfortable or shows signs of pain, stop for a few minutes, then lessen the pressure you use to clean their mouth.
2. Use a Toothpaste Designed for Infants
Along with the right type of toothbrush, you will also need to select the correct toothpaste for your baby. When you do brush your child's teeth, do not use a toothpaste that is designed for older children or adults. Not only does adult toothpaste often contain abrasives but the amount of fluoride in the toothpaste would also be too much for your baby since your child cannot spit out the excess and would consume large amounts.
Instead, pick a toothpaste that is designed especially for infants. The formula is softer than the ones used in adult toothpaste. It also contains less fluoride. Even when you use an infant toothpaste, use only a small amount on your finger or nubbed toothbrush. If it appears that you have applied too much, wipe the excess out of their mouth before they swallow it.
Because your baby's new teeth set the foundation for the permanent ones to grow in correctly, it is imperative that you begin taking care of them as soon as they come in. For more information and tips on providing dental care for your baby, contact an office that provides pediatric dentistry services.
Share26 February 2019
Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!