How Do I Care for My Baby's Teeth?

Children must learn optimal oral hygiene habits from an early age. From beginning, educating a child on the importance of oral health can help develop a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Parents should be highly involved in their child's dental hygiene as proper dental care begins before a child's first tooth appears. Read on to know more.

Tips to care for your Baby’s Teeth

When a child's teeth begin to come in, follow these tips:

• During feeding time, use a bottle only. Do not use breastfeeding or a bottle as a pacifier.

• Do not put your baby to bed with a formula or breast milk bottle.

• Remove the breast from the mouth if your baby falls asleep while breastfeeding.

• Once the first tooth appears, avoid night and frequent, on-demand feedings.

• It is recommended to transition your baby from using a bottle to a cup by the time they turn 12 months old.

• After turning one year old, children can drink water throughout the day if they are thirsty. Please do not give them other things to drink, except at meals.

• After each feeding or at least twice a day, clean your child's mouth before and after the teeth appear. Find a comfortable position for both you and your child.

• Before the teeth come in, use a clean gauze pad or soft cloth to wipe your child's gums and teeth gently. Dampen the gauze or cloth with water, but make sure it's not soaking wet.

• Use a small, soft toothbrush when your child's teeth start coming in. Use gentle circular motions while brushing. Avoid brushing back and forth, as that can cause damage to the teeth and gums. Make sure to brush all sides of the teeth thoroughly.

• At the end, brush the tongue with the toothbrush.

• It is recommended that all children start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth comes in. For kids under three years old, use a toothpaste amount that is almost the size of rice grain. For children three years and older, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste.

• Children can start to brush their teeth all by themselves at age 2. By age 10, they should be able to brush alone. You can teach them by brushing your teeth first.