Parenthood is packed with wonders, sleepless nights, and many things to remember. We don’t mean to add on to the list, but did you know that brushing your child’s teeth can start right away?
It might seem silly to clean your infant’s mouth since they do not have any teeth yet. But gently rubbing their gums with a warm, wet washcloth has many benefits, and will help your child form good habits as they grow up.
Why Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth Matters
Infants are born with all 20 pearly whites hiding just under the surface of their gums. Whether you call them milk teeth, primary teeth, starter teeth, or baby teeth, they will start to erupt when your child is around 6 months of age. Their final baby teeth will make an appearance around age two, but may not emerge until age three.
Taking care of your child’s baby teeth is just as important as taking care of their permanent teeth. Sometimes people refer to the baby teeth as “practice teeth,” but this is not true. Poor oral hygiene in children turns into poor oral hygiene as adults, not to mention the multitude of problems that come with decay.
Cavities and gum disease in children can be very painful, lead to infections, and make their baby teeth fall out too soon. Missing teeth and gaps affect how children form speech patterns, eat, and smile. It also affects the placement of their permanent teeth—if they lose their baby teeth too early, their adult teeth are more likely to be crooked or misaligned.
Newborn Oral Care
That’s right! Oral care starts the day a baby is born. By gently cleaning your newborn’s gums and tongue you are removing germs and bacteria from their mouths and getting rid of milk residue. The sugars found in breast milk and formula can fuel bacteria growth just the same as other foods. By making oral care a habit early you are also getting them ready for a lifetime of brushing!
First Tooth? Ouch!
While the average infant starts to cut teeth at 6 months, teething can begin anywhere from 4 to 7 months old, and it continues until all 20 primary teeth have poked through. Once that first tooth pokes through, brushing your child’s tooth (soon to be teeth!) once a day will prepare them for twice-a-day brushing at around 3 years old.
Teething is often a painful process for children, and can result in increased crying from pain, mild fevers, and sleepless nights. Cold is the easiest way to ease painful gums, and frozen teethers can help alleviate pain. Refrigerating the wet washcloth you use for cleaning their gums and tongue could help, too.
Tips for Brushing Your Child’s Baby Teeth
- Introduce an extra-soft bristle toothbrush. Your child’s toothbrush should be soft, small, and replaced every 2 to 3 months.
- For children under one, brush with water only. Toddlers ages 1 to 3 should use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, no larger than a grain of rice. Children ages 3 and up may use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush in circular motions. This is the best way to release stuck-on plaque and remove germs.
- Children 3 and under only need to brush once a day. Preferably after their last milk or snack for the day. Children 3 and up should brush twice a day, on a similar schedule to adults.
- Mouthwash is not recommended for children under 6 years, because they might accidentally swallow it.
Pediatric Dental Care You Can Count On
Children aged three and up should visit the dentist every six months. This will help your child maintain a clean and healthy mouth, spot cavities before they become a problem, and help build trust between your child and the dentist if there is ever an emergency dental situation.
Our talented dentists, Dr. Whitney and Dr. Weedman, understand the importance of your child’s dental health. If you have concerns about your toddler’s dental development or wish to schedule an appointment for your child, contact us today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (2/7/23). Photo by Daniel Thomas on Unsplash.
