Congratulations on your new baby! To prepare for the arrival of your baby’s first tooth, follow these guidelines and your baby will be on the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
¡Para Español, pulse aquí!
Congratulations on your new baby! To prepare for the arrival of your baby’s first tooth, follow these guidelines and your baby will be on the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, the gums can benefit from your careful attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap one finger with a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze and gently rub it across your baby’s gum tissue. This practice both clears your little one’s mouth of any fragments of food and begins the process for building good daily oral care habits.
When that first tooth makes its entrance, it’s time to upgrade to a baby toothbrush. There are usually two options: a long-handled toothbrush that you and your baby can hold at the same time or a finger-puppet-like brush that fits over the tip of your pointer finger. In each case, the bristles are soft and few.
At this stage, toothpaste isn’t necessary; just dip the brush in water before brushing. If your little one doesn’t react well to the introduction of a toothbrush, don’t give up. Switch back to a damp washcloth for a few months and try the toothbrush again. During the teething process, your child will want to chew on just about anything, and a baby toothbrush with a teether can become a favorite toy during this period.
When a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste with your child’s brush. At this stage, use only a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice). From the start, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing as toothpaste shouldn’t be swallowed at any age.
Don’t give your baby any sort of sweetened liquids such as flavored drinks or soda. Even the sugars present in fruit juice, formula, and milk (this goes for breast milk as well) can cause decay, so regular teeth and gum cleaning is vital. Also, make sure your baby never goes to bed with a bottle; sugary liquids in prolonged contact with teeth are a guarantee for early-childhood decay, also called baby-bottle caries.
We recommend you bring your baby in for a visit within six months of the first tooth’s appearance—usually around your child’s first birthday. Since decay can occur in even the smallest of teeth, the earlier your baby visits us, the more likely you can avoid problems. We’ll look for early warning signs in your baby’s oral health and teach you the best way to care for your little one’s teeth. Remember that preparing for each dental visit with a positive attitude goes a long way toward making your child comfortable with regular checkups.
We truly care about your child’s health and happiness. Reach out to get your child’s appointment scheduled. We can’t wait to see you.
You’re Invited to Our Trunk or Treat
Click here for details