You finally notice the first tiny tooth bud poking through the gums after weeks of watching your kid fuss and drool. Over the next few years, your infant’s toothless grin will gradually give way to two rows of baby teeth.
Despite being tiny, baby teeth are necessary. They serve as adult teeth’s stand-ins. Your child will struggle to chew, smile, and speak clearly without a full set of healthy baby teeth. Because of this, it’s crucial to take good care of baby teeth and prevent tooth decay. You may help your kid adapt to the daily routine by starting early.
Caring for your baby’s teeth and gum
You can start caring for your baby’s teeth and gum immediately. But first, no toothpaste or toothbrush will be used in the care. Instead, follow these instructions:
- Use a gauze or a wet washcloth.
- Clean your baby’s gums gently at least twice per day.
- Wipe your baby’s gum especially after meals and before bedtime.
By doing so, the bacteria will be washed away and won’t stick to the gums. Bacteria may leave behind a sticky plaque that harms developing baby teeth.
Why should you struggle to brush and care for baby teeth since they will soon be replaced by permanent ones?
But it’s important to look after your infant’s teeth and gums for the following reasons: you can maintain good oral health for a lifetime if good habits are formed from a young age.
Decayed baby teeth can interfere with speech and feeding development. Baby teeth that are decaying can cause crooked permanent teeth when they fall because they don’t keep the right position for emerging teeth.
Keep checking for any sign of baby tooth decay and cavities. If you notice any problem, take your baby to a pediatrician or dentist for a checkup.
Teething
Babies’ teeth pop up at different ages. It may take up to 2 years before all the baby teeth emerge through your infant’s gum. Teething can be uncomfortable that is why you find your baby fussing days or even weeks before the teeth appear.
Other teething symptoms include gum swelling, drooling, and sometimes fever. You can relieve your baby’s teething pain by:
- Gum rubbing. Use a clean finger, or a wet gauze to rub your baby’s gum
- Using teething rings. Using a cool teething ring can reduce teething discomfort and pain.
- Using pain relief. Give your infant acetaminophen to relieve pain. But consult your pediatrician first.
Prevention of early tooth decay and cavities
Brushing teeth doesn’t ensure protection against tooth decay alone. The diet and feeding practices of your infant are equally vital factors to consider.
Until about 6 months, give your baby only formula or breastmilk. Formula-fed and breastfed babies beyond 6 months of life can drink small portions of water. Refrain from providing your baby with sugary beverages. When you start giving your infant solids, avoid giving them any sugary meals.
Don’t put your infant to bed when using a bottle. During your baby’s rest, there’s a reduced amount of saliva in the mouth, which serves as a natural protector for teeth. If your infant happens to doze off while using a bottle, milk can seep into their mouth and potentially saturate their teeth. This exposes your baby to the risk of decay in their teeth. If you put your baby to bed when using a bottle, fill it with water.
Baby teeth are affected by cavities faster than adult teeth. Cavities can cause effects such as:
- Frequent and costly dental care
- Tooth pain
- Damage to permanent teeth that have not come in yet
- Oral infections can also affect the whole body
- Missed school days
How to break the bad habits
If you usually give your baby sweetened drinks from the bottle, or your baby sleeps with the bottle it’s not too late to break the habit. You can reduce the risk of infant bottle tooth decay by:
- Filling the bottle with water instead of milk during bedtime
- Stop using pacifiers by the age of 2. Using the pacifiers for a long time can affect how the teeth line up. It can also affect the shape of the mouth.
Brushing your baby’s teeth
When the first baby teeth erupt you can use a toothbrush. Use a soft toothbrush, with a big handle and small head. You can soften the brush bristles by soaking it in warm water for a few minutes.
Immediately the teeth pop up you can start using a small amount of toothpaste. As your baby grows at the age of 3 years you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. You can choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel and reduces the risk of tooth cavities.
Brush your baby’s teeth two times daily, in the morning and before bedtime. You need to help your young baby to brush his or her teeth. Older children can use the toothbrush but supervise them to make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and spit out all the toothpaste.
Once your baby has all the baby teeth, you can use floss sticks or picks. Floss and brush before bedtime. Replace your baby’s brush every 3-4 weeks or whenever it appears worn out. Teach your child never to share a toothbrush.
Keep the toothbrush clean
After brushing your child’s teeth, rinse the brush with water. Put the brush upright in an open container to allow it to dry.
Tooth decay isn’t exclusive to adults; it can also affect babies. Putting a baby to sleep when using a bottle can contribute to tooth decay. Sugars from formula, milk, or juice left on a baby’s teeth for extended periods can wear away the protective layer of the tooth (enamel). This can lead to “baby bottle tooth decay” or “bottle mouth,” characterized by discolored, pocked, or cracked front teeth. In severe cases, cavities may form, and decayed teeth may require extraction.
Maintaining good oral hygiene such as caring for your baby’s teeth and gum will help to reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities. Using toothpaste with fluoride will help strengthen the tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.