For Healthy Baby Teeth

Once the first baby tooth starts emerges, it is a sign that you should start cleaning your baby’s teeth twice a day. An early start will get your baby used to having his teeth cleaned, and will allow you to avoid any problems in the future. The first of your baby’s tooth to emerge are the bottom front teeth by the time he becomes 6 months old. 

Choosing the Toothbrush

You may start with cleaning using only a piece of gauze. Wrap it around your finger with a small smear of toothpaste and rub it on the teeth. You can also use a pediatric soft bristle toothbrush. It is essential that it have soft, round-end bristles of different lengths. Its head should be small angled so that you can reach all your baby’s upper and lower gums. The teething baby will enjoy the stimulation so long as you are gentle.

Choosing the Toothpaste

Fluoride is an essential ingredient of toothpaste because it helps in the prevention of tooth decay. When choosing a toothpaste, check its packaging for fluoride levels since too much of it can be harmful. The best toothpaste for your baby should contain 1000ppm of fluoride or less. You might not want to pick a toothpaste that have fruity flavors so your child will now that toothpaste is not food. The best brand is the one your child enjoys so early on, test a few and watch for your baby’s reaction to the flavors.

Cleaning Your Baby’s Teeth

Get into the habit of brushing the teeth of your baby twice in a day – once in the morning and once before going to bed, after he or she has finished drinking.

• Apply a thin film of toothpaste on the toothbrush, covering less than a third of the bristles.

• Brush with small and gentle movements, concentration on the area where the gums and teeth meet. Make sure that you are not brushing too vigorously since your baby’s gums will be tender.

• Once finished, get your baby to spit out the toothpaste. However, do not rinse his mouth with lots of water. Also, it has been found that rinsing after brushing will lessen the effects of the toothpaste.

• You will reach your baby’s teeth easily by sitting him on your lap, facing away from you. This will work up until your baby becomes an active toddler.

• If your baby resists getting his teeth brushed, give him his own toothbrush to hold to make him feel that he is in control. You can even let him try brushing his own teeth before cleaning up.

• Let your baby watch while you are brushing your teeth. This should help him get used to the whole idea.

• Ask for more guidance from your pediatric dentist in Bristol township on how to properly brush your kids baby teeth

Most pediatric dentists in lower Makefield commend the 12-month mark as a good time for that first visit. During this first session, oral hygiene and children’s teeth cleaning should be the topics of discussion. A few of the pediatric dental offices in Council Rock school district visit with the early learning centers to educate parents and children on proper oral hygiene for infants and toddlers. Make it a point to attend one of these informative sessions.