Baby Teeth Brushing
Baby teeth brushing is akin to putting an octopus in a string bag… There is absolutely no way your baby wants to sit still while you brush those precious first milk teeth. There are a few things about baby teeth brushing that you should know about – they’ll make your life so much easier, we promise!
Baby Teeth Brushing – what you must know
First, getting a toothbrush around a couple of tiny teeth is not practical! When the first baby teeth erupt, it’s far simpler, and just as effective to use a soft muslin cloth or piece of gauze. Add the paste to the cloth and rub the teeth gently both front and back. Don’t rub too hard on the gum line as babies have very sensitive gums. Remember too that your baby may be erupting new teeth so the whole area may be sensitive.
Toothpaste for babies
Babies won’t “spit” on command so you cannot give them adult toothpaste. Adult toothpaste contains fluoride and other substances that shouldn’t be swallowed. There are a number of baby tooth pastes on the market but we recommend specialist dental products, designed to give your baby the very best start in oral care. These are specially formulated to encourage strong and healthy teeth.
Baby diet and oral care
There’s nothing so delightful as watching your baby’s face as she tries new foods. Early on, you’ll be feeding your baby a selection of fruits and vegetables, some of which can be damaging to her teeth. Fruit juice is especially bad and should be avoided where possible. Some fruits are high in acid (especially citrus and berries) and can not only damage teeth but also cause rashes and tummy upsets. Of course, avoid processed sugary foods early on!
Broken or chipped baby teeth
Toddlers are clumsy. You may feel like you’re spending two years of your life doing nothing but stopping your little one hurting herself! Accidents happen, even to the world’s greatest mums! What you do next though may save the day! If you child loses a tooth, DO NOT WASH IT. Pop it in a glass of milk and come straight to Robert Duhig Dental Sandgate. If your child chips or breaks a tooth, come see us asap – it could be the difference between a simple stop-gap procedure and a painful root canal or extraction for you little one! For many families, bulk billing is available too – learn if you qualify here and about payment plans here.
When should your child first see a dentist?
Generally we recommend bringing your child in for their first dental appointment around the age of three. The first dental appointment will help your child feel confident about visiting the dentist and will also highlight any issues with their baby teeth. Learn more about your child’s first trip to the dentist on our pediatric dental page.
Baby teeth brushing might feel like a struggle at first but once your baby is used to the process, it will get easier. Caring for your new baby’s teeth doesn’t need to be a struggle. It’s vital to show them that great oral health is part of their daily routine for life long tooth health.