Dental hygiene: Caring for my baby’s teeth

Have your baby’s teeth made an appearance? Maybe they are just beginning to show signs of teething. In any case, their mouth’s cleanliness is very important! The following guide will help you keep your baby’s beautiful smile shiny and healthy.

X

How do I clean my baby’s teeth and mouth?

• If your child has no teeth yet, clean their mouth with sterile gauze, passing it over their gums to ensure a clean mouth.
• When their little teeth come out, encourage them to drink water as this helps cleanse and get rid of remaining food in their mouth.
• Avoid tooth decay by not letting your baby sleep with a bottle; this is because formula or milk from the bottle can drip into your little one’s mouth and soak teeth. 
• Once your little one has teeth, you can introduce their first toothbrush. Make sure it is extra soft and designed specifically for babies. Use toothpaste that’s recommended by your doctor and that contains fluoride –fluoride helps make teeth stronger to prevent tooth decay.
  • You should only use very little of it, the size of a grain of rice, so that no excess remains in your little one’s mouth and they don’t swallow it.
• At this age they probably won’t spit out, so try to brush their teeth lightly a second time using just water to rinse their mouth.
• Normally, it’s advised to wash a baby’s teeth twice a day. However, this recommendation can vary, so ask your pediatrician what is best for your child.
• The best position to clean your baby’s mouth is sitting them on your lap with their head resting on your arm.
• Try to make brushing their teeth a game, so that they become more motivated to participate in this healthy habit.
• Finally, if your little one doesn’t like brushing their teeth, try not to force them to keep still. Instead,distract them a little and continue. You could also ask your partner to help you!