How To Tuesday: How to Take Care of Baby’s Teeth

Submitted by JuliaFuller on Tue, 12/22/2009 - 03:59

Baby’s first tooth is a milestone that we parents proudly record in the baby book. Of course, we love to take pictures of baby displaying the beautiful new tooth. We fuss and worry over baby’s teething pain that is frequently accompanied by runny nose, fussiness, and occasional fevers. Now that baby has a tooth are you taking proper care of it to prevent cavities? Do you brush your baby’s tooth? Bottle rot is not automatically followed by teething. As you know, cavities can be painful and make eating difficult. Take care of your baby’s first teeth to prevent long-term problems with tooth decay and establish good dental hygiene behaviors for a lifetime. Here are some tips to help you.

 

     

  • After baby’s first tooth appears, begin cleaning it with a clean cloth or a soft children's toothbrush and continue this practice until your child is old enough to brush independently. Clean teeth after each feeding and especially right before bedtime.
  • If baby takes a bottle to bed, only fill it with water. Never give your baby a bottle filled with sweet drinks, instead place juice in a sippy cup. The sugar in milk, formula, and juices can cause tooth decay. Because the bacteria in the mouth mixes with the sugar in food to cause tooth decay.
  • Check with your doctor to make sure your child is getting enough fluoride.
  • Take your child to the dentist for a checkup around his/her first birthday and at least once a year after that..
  • When your child turns two years old, begin brushing teeth with a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Make brushing fun with special toothbrushes, toothpastes, and sticker charts.
  • Limit sweet snacks and drinks that can cause tooth decay.
  • Give your child over 12-months-old lots of milk to drink after. Milk has lots of calcium, and calcium is a mineral that helps make teeth strong.
  • Remember, your child's first teeth are important. They hold spaces for adult teeth.
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