The developments of healthy teeth are important to your baby’s overall health. Although it may be part of the pain your baby wills first experienced in the first year, but if you can help the baby to overcome the teething problem. Teeth help your baby chew food and form words and sounds when speaking. They also affect the way your baby’s jaw grows.
It is never too early to start caring for your baby’s teeth
As soon as you see teeth in your baby’s mouth, you can use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or a damp, clean cloth to clean them. As your child gets older, you should clean their teeth with them, watching what they do and helping when they need it. Children need your help with tooth brushing until age seven or older. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. Brushing before bed is the most important time.
Feeding Your Baby
Tooth decay (cavities) is the most common dental problem in children. To prevent cavities, keeping teeth clean and eating healthy foods can help. Visiting the dentist regularly can also help. Sweet and sticky foods and drinks are the worst for teeth. The sugars in these foods are used by germs in the mouth to make acid. This acid makes holes or cavities in teeth. Any sweetened drinks such as soda pop, fruit punches or kool aid are not recommended for children. These can cause severe tooth decay. Make sure you give your child healthy teeth.
Some healthy foods such as milk and fruit juices contain natural sugar that can damage teeth if left in the mouth too long. It is unsafe to put a baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice and it can cause cavities in the teeth because the natural sugars are touching the teeth for a long time. Plain water is the best drink to have in between meals and before sleep.
- Breastfeeding is best for babies.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or damp, clean cloth to clean your baby’s first teeth.
- Plain water is the best drink between meals and before sleep.Â
- Visit the dentist should if you notice anything strange in your child teeth that you have no knowledge of.Â
- Ask your doctor before using teething gels.
- Before the age of three, toothpaste without fluoride is recommended.
- After the age of three, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used. Try to have your child spit the toothpaste out.
- Child-flavored toothpaste is fine, just make sure you keep the tube out of reach of children.
- Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause spots on the permanent teeth.Â
- Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. After meals and at bedtime is best. Brushing does not clean between the teeth.Â
- Dental floss is a special kind of thread that should be used once a day to clean between teeth that touch. There are special floss holders for children that can make the job easier.