You finally notice that first little tooth bud poking through the gums after weeks of watching your baby drool and cry. Your infant’s gummy smile will eventually be replaced by two rows of baby teeth during the next few years.
Why are baby teeth important? How to care for your baby’s teeth? These are some questions new moms may wonder about. Well, keep on reading to find out all your answers.
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Why are Baby Teeth Important?
Even though baby teeth are little, they are vital. They serve as substitutes for adult teeth.
Tooth decay can affect even the tiniest of children.
Using a bottle to put a baby to sleep can destroy your baby’’s teeth.
Sugars from juice, formula, or milk can eat away at a baby’s enamel if they remain on his or her teeth for several hours. As studies show, this might result in ‘infant bottle teeth decay’ or ‘bottle mouth’.
The front teeth may become discolored, pocked, and pitted as a result of this. Cavities may form, and the rotting teeth may need to be extracted in extreme situations.
When Do the Teeth Erupt?
Your baby is born with 20 teeth below the gums, and they usually start coming through between 6 months and a year. Most children have their full set of teeth by 3 years old.
How to Know If Your Baby is Teething?
Teething can be a rite of passage for babies and parents alike.
As their teeth come in, some babies may become fussy, sleepless and irritable, lose their appetite or drool more than usual.
Diarrhea, rashes and a fever are not caused by teething.
If your baby has a fever or diarrhea while teething or continues to be cranky and uncomfortable, call your child’s pediatrician.
Read more about tips to comfort a teething baby.
Baby Teeth Care Tips: A Guide for Parents
Your child will have difficulty chewing, smiling, and speaking effectively if he or she does not have a good set of baby teeth.
That is why it is critical to look after infant teeth and keep them free of decay. Your infant will become accustomed to the daily routine if you begin early.
Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth – But When?
Decay can happen as soon as teeth first appear. If you see some pearly whites peeking out when your little one smiles, it’s time to pick up a tube of fluoride toothpaste.
Toothbrush for Your Baby – How to Choose?
Choose a toothbrush with a:
- Soft brush
- Small head
- Large handle
How Much Toothpaste to Use?
Cleaning your child’s teeth does not need much effort.
Brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush until you’re certain that he or she can brush on his or her own.
If your child is under the age of three, a smear of toothpaste will suffice (about the size of a grain of rice).
A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste would suffice for youngsters aged 3 and up.
When to Schedule Your Baby’s First Dental Visit?
It’s another milestone in a year of exciting firsts.
Your child’s first dental visit should take place after their first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday.
Why so early?
As soon as your baby has teeth, they can get cavities.
When to Start Cleaning Between Teeth?
It makes no difference whether you clean between your child’s teeth before or after they brush, as long as you clean between any teeth that come into contact.
Until your child learns to clean between his or her teeth on his or her own, you can use child-friendly plastic flossing instruments.
How to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
The top front teeth are the most commonly affected by baby bottle tooth decay, but other teeth may also be affected.
Tooth decay can be caused by exposing a baby’s teeth to sugary liquids on a regular basis.
When a baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy infant, this can happen.
Keep Your Baby’s Mouth Clean
When your child’s pacifier goes flying, don’t pick it up and put it in your mouth because you think it’ll be cleaner that way.
No. Don’t ever do that.
Cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted through saliva, so you could be exposing your child to germs rather than protecting him or her from them.
The same may be said about meals.
Offering a mouthful of your meal to your baby with your fork or using their spoon to ensure their food is ready to eat can become second nature. Read more about simple ways for personal oral care.
For a healthy tongue and body, keep your utensils and bacteria separate.
Prevent Cavities in Your Baby’s Teeth
Protect your baby’s teeth in addition to caring for them. Fill your baby’s bottle exclusively with the following items to avoid cavities:
- Breast milk
- Formula
- Water
Fruit juices, sodas, and other sugary drinks should not be given to your youngster.
Limit them to 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice every day.
At mealtimes, serve non-sugary drinks and snacks, and reserve juice for special occasions.
Water Works!!!
Water is the ideal beverage to offer after your youngster has worked up a thirst—especially if it contains fluoride!
Fluoridated water, often referred to as nature’s cavity fighter, has been demonstrated to reduce cavities by 25%.
While sugary drinks like fruit juice, soda, and sports drinks can promote cavities, fluoridated water preserves teeth.
Sugary drinks contribute to weight growth as well, but water has no calories.
Putting it All Together!
Your baby should see a dentist for the first time around their first birthday. This is important if they are at high risk for cavities or other teeth problems. You can choose a well-known pediatric dentist that specializes in kids.
Teething should not cause a fever. Call your doctor if your baby has a fever.
