Oral care for baby teeth
Teeth appear in most babies between the ages of 6 and 10. In most infants milk teeth may appear as early as 9 months. They don’t arrive for another year or so in some cases. Teeth come in at various times for different children. Only a tiny percentage of children are born with only one or two teeth. Baby teeth can appear in any order, but the central bottom teeth are often the first to appear. By the time your child is three years old, all 20 baby teeth should have arrived.
To know more about how infants Oral health and hygiene works, do continue reading this article
Why are healthy baby teeth so important?
It’s highly vital to keep baby teeth clean and healthy mainly because:
The Baby teeth hold spaces open so that the permanent teeth come in.
Baby teeth help in:
Forming the shape of his or her face.
Allowing your child to speak more clearly by making it easier for him or her to do so.
Making chewing and eating more enjoyable.
When baby teeth are not adequately cared for, tooth decay can occur. Pain and discomfort are two of the mostcommon side effects of tooth decay.
Infections can harm a child’s overall health.
Costly dental treatment is needed.
The underlying permanent teeth are harmed.
Why should you clean your infant’s mouth?
An infant requires nourishment in the form of milk right from the day that they are born. When pulling milk, young children often collect milk in the sides of the mouth because they go into a deep sleep state while still being fed by the mother. The mother needs to make sure that the milk is not being left behind in the infant’s mouth after feeding him/her. To ensure that the parent can follow these steps:
Tap or lightly poke your child’s cheeks starting from the back of the mouth(near the ear), working your way to the middle.
Do this on both sides.
Remember not to cross the middle of the mouth while doing so. Always start from the sides and work your way towards the middle and stop there.
This practice makes the child aware that he/she is not supposed to collect food in the mouth, which helps the child’s oral health in the future.
How exactly do you clean your infant’s mouth?
Even before the teeth appear, you can clean your baby’s mouth with a clean gauze pad or soft cloth at least once a day. This is something that should be done daily. To clean the child’s teeth and gums, do the following:
Cover your finger with a clean gauze pad or soft fabric. Soak the gauze in water until it is moist but not soaked. Gently wipe your child’s teeth and gums.
Brush your child’s teeth with a thin, gentle toothbrush once his teeth start to come in—clean all surfaces of your teeth, including your gums.
It is not mandatory to brush your teeth with toothpaste, but if you do, use fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a small pea).
At the age of 11, children should be able to brush their teeth without supervision. Until then, parents can either observe or assist their children, depending on their skills.
Teething in children:
Teething is a common occurrence in children.
Your baby can experience some pain as teeth emerge in the mouth.
Your baby’s gums will be sore, and he can become irritable or fussy as a result.
Gently rubbing the baby’s gums with a clean finger will help.
Giving your baby a clean, cold item to chew on may be beneficial at times. Give a teething ring or a non-sweetened teething biscuit that you’ve stored in the refrigerator.
Teething does not make an infant sick, but it does make them uncomfortable.
Drooling and chewing often seem to be accompanied by a cold or moderate fever.
Contact your doctor if your child seems to be sick. Anything other than teething may be the sourceof the issue.
Using a Pacifier and Thumb-sucking
Sucking is a common want and necessity for all infants. Unless thumb-sucking or using a natural-shaped pacifier persists beyond five, there is usually no damage to the teeth. After the age of five, the habit can affect the permanent teeth as they emerge.
Dental Check-ups at a Young Age
Before your child turns two years old, he or she can see a dentist. He or she can then have daily “happy teeth” check-ups to ensure that the teeth remain healthy. Ask your child’s dentist, dental hygienist, or doctor if you have any concerns.
We hope this article was helpful for you in taking care of your infants Dental Health.
For more information, do refer to the below articles:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/health-daily-care/dental-care/dental-care-babies
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/dental-teeth-and-gum-care-for-infants-and-toddlers
