Watching your new baby’s teeth grow in can be an exciting time. However, if you’re first time parents, you might not know how to take care of your baby’s teeth. Although you may think that it is not necessary to emphasize good dental habits until adult teeth begin to come in around age six, baby teeth act as placeholders for the permanent teeth, and damage to them can cause substantial problems later in life. If you want to help your child stay healthy and start off on the right foot when it comes to taking care of themselves, here are a few tips for taking care of your baby’s first teeth.
- Start dentist visits early: Most parents wait too long to start taking their young children to the dentist; as soon as teeth emerge, they can develop problems. Baby teeth begin to grow around 6 months, so it’s generally recommended that you schedule a trip to the dentist before your child’s first birthday.
- Take care during teething: Even if your child can’t fully communicate, they will let you know when teething is causing them discomfort. It’s bound to be a slightly uncomfortable time, but you can help your child by giving them a teething ring or a cold washcloth to suck on. If your child is experiencing severe discomfort, talk to your doctor about pain reliever options.
- Watch for fluoride intake: Fluoride is important for the growth and development of healthy teeth, but too much can also be potentially harmful to your child. Generally, infants will get enough fluoride through treated tap water, but if your area does not treat the tap water with fluoride, ask your doctor about fluoride supplements your child can take to keep their teeth healthy. Don’t use toothpaste on any children under age 2, however, since this isn’t a healthy way for them to get their regular amounts of fluoride.
- Proper cleaning and brushing: Make sure you’re using proper brushing and cleaning methods for your child’s age. Children should start brushing their teeth with minimal toothpaste as soon as they start to fully come in; before then, gentle wiping with gauze or a washcloth will work to remove food particles and contaminants without damaging the growing teeth and gums. Make sure that your children are using an appropriate amount of toothpaste as well.
Dental health is incredibly important for children’s overall health, and yet it often goes overlooked. Use these tips to keep your children happy and healthy as their first set of teeth grow in, and to get them ready to take care of their future permanent teeth.
