Dental Care Tips For Your Baby

Being a new parent can be overwhelming. There is a lot that goes into caring for a tiny human to ensure that they are as healthy and happy as possible. While you know the basics, like feeding and changing them, there are some things that may not come as naturally. When it comes to a baby’s dental care, many new parents are not truly aware of what needs to be done and how to ensure their baby has good oral hygiene.

While you may assume that since your baby doesn’t have teeth, you don’t really need to pay attention to their dental health, but that is not the case. It is important to pay attention to your baby’s dental health before their teeth start to come in to ensure that they come in healthy and strong.

At Thornton Kids Dentistry, we are a pediatric dentistry clinic that can help ensure your baby’s oral health is good as they start growing teeth. We want to help you better understand your baby’s oral health and give you some dental care tips. Read on to learn more and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Clean Their Gums After Feeding

While it may seem silly, cleaning your baby’s gums after feeding can help reduce the amount of bacterial growth and promotes good oral health. Instead of using a toothbrush, you can use a soft, damp cloth or a silicone finger brush to gently clean their gums. All you have to do is gently wipe their gums after feeding and you are already setting your kiddo up for good oral health!

Start Brushing When The First Tooth Shows Up

It is exciting when your baby’s first tooth shows up, and it means that it’s time to start brushing! You can use a finger brush, a damp washcloth, or soft-bristle toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste, no more than the size of a grain of rice. Brush their tooth or teeth after meals and before bed to keep their baby teeth healthy and avoid tooth decay! It is also recommended that you use cavity-preventing fluoride toothpaste starting when your child’s first tooth comes in.

What To Know About Teething

Teething is something every baby goes through and a time that can be hard for both parents and their kiddo. Teething is uncomfortable for your baby and will likely leave them crying and fussing constantly. Common symptoms of teething include drooling, swollen gums, and sleeplessness. While there is nothing you can do to stop your baby from experiencing this discomfort, there are things you can do to help soothe them.

Letting your baby chew on a teething ring or a cold washcloth can help soothe the pain a bit. You can also try rubbing their gums with your finger, just be sure to clean your hands first! Another option is pain relief products. There are some topical pain relievers that you can rub on the gums or you can give them Tylenol on occasion. Never use topical pain relievers with benzocaine and don’t give your child aspirin. These could have negative side-effects on your baby.

Know How To Prevent Cavities

Your baby’s dental care is important in order to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Be sure you only fill your little one’s bottle with formula, breast milk, or water. If you give your baby fruit juice and other sugary drinks, it can settle on teeth and lead to baby tooth decay. Even milk can settle on a baby’s teeth and cause problems if you don’t clean their teeth afterward.

Never Give Your Baby A Bottle In Bed

We have discussed this more in-depth in a previous blog, but we wanted to stress the point. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t let your child sleep with a bottle. But when it comes to your baby’s dental health, giving your baby a bottle during a nap or in their crib can lead to tooth decay, unless you only give them water. But even then, they may choke, so we would recommend not giving your baby a bottle while they are meant to be sleeping.

Schedule A Dental Visit

Your baby’s first dental appointment should take place when their first tooth appears or when they turn one, whichever comes first. While it may seem pointless to have our pediatric dentist look at a single tooth, it allows us to see any problems early and spot any cavities.

If your baby’s first tooth showed up or their first birthday is coming up, be sure to schedule their first dental exam at Thornton Kids Dentistry. Our caring and compassionate team will do everything to ensure your baby’s first dental appointment is stress-free and easy. Now that you know how to take care of your baby’s teeth better, you can help keep their mouth healthy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.