You do not need to begin brushing with a toothbrush or toothpaste until your infant’s teeth begin to erupt, but you should clean your baby’s gums on a daily basis.
Baby teeth usually begin by erupting when a child is between 6 and 9 months old. These teeth are very important to their health and development since they help your kid speak, eat and eventually will guide their adult teeth into place.
Before the First Tooth
Proper dental care actually begins before your child's first tooth appears. Each day, you should run a clean, damp washcloth over the gums to wipe away harmful bacteria.
Ensuring that you incorporate the cleanings of your baby's gums into your daily routine from the start will help to make sure that by the time your child's first tooth comes in, you both are already used to regular mouth clenaings. Since every baby teeth a bit differently too, it can be difficult for a parent to accurately predict when their baby's first tooth is starting to break through.
When the First Tooth Appears
As soon as the first tooth appears, you should start brushing with an infant toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste.
Baby teeth must be cleaned on a regular basis because, like adults, infants can get cavities too. Once your child has a tooth, plaque can begin building up on the surface of the tooth and causing decay.
Children should brush at least twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed. Flossing can begin once your child has two teeth side-by-side.
Tips for Oral Care of Baby Teeth
Even babies are able to develop tooth decay is good hygiene practices aren't used on their smiles. By following the oral healthcare tips below, you can help your baby's smile remain healthy:
- Teach your children good dental care habits early. When you show them how to take care of their baby teeth you are starting positive habits that will last a lifetime.
- Avoid putting a baby to sleep with a bottle. It might be convenient but can harm the baby's teeth. When sugars from juice or milk sit on a baby's teeth for hours, they can eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth.
- Visit a dentist who provides children's services by the age of one year, or around the time when the first teeth appear. This will help preserve the baby teeth until they are ready to fall out and be replaced by the adult teeth.