Dental And Oral Care For Baby’s Newly Erupted Teeth

Finally, after a few weeks of baby’s fussiness due to teething, you can spot a tooth in the baby’s mouth. Babies might have small teeth but it’s important to maintain good dental hygiene. Good dental and oral hygiene can keep your baby away from the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.

To start with, clean the baby’s gum with a wet soft cloth or gauze. Gum cleaning should be done at least two times a day, preferably after feeding to avoid bacterial accumulation. Bacterial accumulation around the gums can lead to plaque formation which can decay the erupting teeth of the baby. Do not skip gum cleaning before putting the baby to sleep at night after feeding.

Once your baby develops a minimum of 4 teeth, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush that has: soft bristles and a small head. Clean the brush with warm water before and after brushing and let it air dry.

As and when more teeth start developing, you can start using fluoride-rich toothpaste to brush. Use a gentle circular motion to brush. Pay equal attention to all the teeth including the molar teeth (teeth at the backside of the mouth) too.

Brush your baby’s teeth twice a day for 2 mins, especially after feeding before bedtime. And, till the time they learn to hold the brush and so it themselves.
Start using baby-safe floss once a good number of teeth have developed. Before that, you can clean the baby’s tongue using a soft cloth.

#growthmilestones #dentalhygiene