Proper dental care starts as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears. Are you ready for the challenge? Read this guide about baby teeth care, and you will be!
Their teeth may be small, but each one of them is crucial. If you fail to establish good dental care when they are young, your baby may have to deal with oral issues for the rest of their lives.
That is why, in this list, we will provide you with everything you need to keep those adorable pearly whites as healthy as possible.
But before that…
Here are the things you should know about baby teeth:
- Newborns already have a set of 20 baby teeth hidden in their gums.
- However, a small number of babies are born with one or two teeth. This is unusual but should not be a cause for concern.
- The first tooth appears between 6 to 10 months. However, some may start as early as three months. Alternatively, others start late at around 12 months.
- By the time the child is three years old, all baby teeth would usually have arrived.
- Between 6 and 20, the baby’s teeth will fall off one by one. Then, adult teeth will replace these.
Set your little one up for success and start caring for their baby teeth today!
Start with their gums
At this point, you should pay attention to their gums. As babies go through teething, their gums are itchy, painful, and irritating.
To take care of their gums, you must use a moistened washcloth or piece of gauze (or Mama’s Choice Finger Toothbrush!). Gently wipe your baby’s gums twice a day. You could do this once in the morning and once in the evening, just like it is with kids and adults.
By doing this, you will be removing the bacteria that may cling to their gums and cause problems later on.
Find the right toothpaste
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If you start feeling like water alone is not enough to clean your baby’s mouth, you may begin to transition to toothpaste. Using an amount that is the size of a grain is usually enough. Once your child reaches 3, you may increase this to a pea-sized amount.
You may want to try the new Mama’s Choice Baby & Kids Toothpaste, enriched with the double protection agent Xylitol and Hydroxyapatite that help prevent cavities and remineralise teeth!
This baby toothpaste contains no fluoride, added sugar, or alcohol, so you can be sure it’s safe for your little one.
There are safer alternatives to fluoride such as miswak, mint, chlorophyll, and allantoin. You may want to look for these instead.
Brush, brush, brush
You may brush your baby’s teeth as soon as you see one sprout. You do not even have to wait for it to grow fully. However, it would be best to consult your pediatric dentist first, as some suggest that you wait until there are four teeth. Others recommend waiting until 2 to 3 years old.
Whatever the case may be, here are some things that you need to look for in a toothbrush, according to Healthline:
- Suitable for their age
- Made from materials that are safe for children
- It comes with safety features
On top of this, you may also soak the toothbrush in warm water to make the bristles softer.
When you brush your baby’s teeth, you should spend at least 2 minutes. Put concentration on the back molars as this is where cavities first develop. Lastly, do not forget to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
Find an excellent pediatric dentist that you trust
Believe it or not, even babies with one barely-there tooth need to see a dentist. It may seem unnecessary, but this is important if you want to establish healthy gums and teeth. This will set a pathway to great dental habits that your child will carry out for the rest of their lives.
Trust us. Your future self will thank you.
Here’s the best first toothbrush for your baby!
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If you are looking for your baby Mama’s toothbrush, you might want to look at My First Toothbrush from Mama’s Choice.
Remember the things that you should look for in a toothbrush? Well, this one checks all the boxes.
✔️ Suitable for children aged 12 months and above
✔️ Created with high-quality silicone that is safe for children
✔️ Equipped with a safety shield to prevent choking
Aside from these, this toothbrush is also temperature resistant between -20°C to 110°C for easy cleaning and sterilization.
If you want to try this toothbrush, click the banner below!
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Mama's Choice Team
A team of passionate writers, young mamas, and creative superheroes who help mamas face motherhood one educational article at a time!