Healthy baby teeth is crucial to healthy permanent teeth

Maybe your baby’s teeth are on their way in? Well, it’s time to start taking care of them. Even though this set will only be around for a short time, their health is essential to your baby’s gums and those future permanent teeth. Make sure your baby’s new teeth get the best care. Here are some practical tips.

Start with baby gums. Clean your baby’s mouth regularly even before her teeth come in. Wipe the gums after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. You can also buy thimble-like, soft rubbery devices (they fit over your index finger) to use for rubbing off excess food. If you can’t do this after every feed, clean the gums at least two times a day, morning and evening.

Take care of them as soon as they’re out. Some parents think baby teeth aren’t important because they’re eventually replaced by permanent ones. But these first teeth preserve the spacing for the permanent ones and help your child chew and talk. If they’re not cared for properly they can decay, leading to a gum infection called gingivitis, which can affect the spacing of permanent teeth.

Check for cavities. The first signs of cavities in baby teeth are discoloration and minor pitting. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. That’s like soaking their teeth in sugar and acids! The result? Cavities. Don’t leave your infant with a bottle for long periods, especially if you notice he’s done feeding and is just using the bottle for comfort. If you spot a cavity, take your baby to the dentist even before the standard first year check up.

Develop the water habit. After every meal, including every bottle of milk, make sure your baby drinks water. The water washes off baby food or milk that was left coating the teeth. This is just as essential as tooth or gum brushing.

Visit the dentist. The American Dental Association advices that children get their first dental exam at age 1. Some pediatricians say, if you are conscientious with daily teeth and gum care — and follow our tips above — that first visit can wait until your child is 3.

Leave a Reply