Oral Care for Babies

Caring For Your Baby’s Smile 

Everyone knows the golden rule of brushing and flossing every day to maintain a healthy smile. However, if you are a new parent, you may wonder when you should start this essential routine. The answer might surprise you: it should begin even before your baby’s first tooth appears. Read on to learn the importance of baby teeth and how to care for your baby's oral health to set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. 

Why Baby Teeth Matter 

Baby teeth, or primary teeth, are your child’s first set of teeth that erupt during the first couple of years of life. These little teeth may be temporary, but they are essential for your child's oral health and development. Baby teeth shape your child's face, hold space for permanent teeth to come in properly, and support crucial functions like chewing and speaking clearly. 

When Do Baby Teeth Come in?  

Most children will have their first tooth appear between 6 and 12 months of age, with the final primary molars coming in the second year of life. Baby teeth then start to be replaced by permanent teeth around age 6, with the last ones typically falling out by middle school. 

Can Baby Teeth Develop Cavities?  

Almost a quarter of children ages 2-5 have had a cavity on at least one of their baby teeth. When teeth are not cared for thoroughly, tooth decay can develop. It occurs when plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria, is not cleaned off the teeth before it hardens into tartar. Bacteria in plaque and tartar feed on sugars and produce acids that erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities. That is why proper cleaning from the start is essential to protect your child's smile. 

How to Clean Your Baby’s Mouth 

You should start cleaning your baby's mouth as soon as you bring them home. After each feeding and before bed, gently wipe down your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad or cloth dampened with water.  

When the teeth start to erupt, transition to cleaning your baby's smile with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. Brush your child's teeth in a gentle circular motion, angling the bristles down toward the gumline. As soon as two of their teeth start to touch, begin flossing between them to keep the sides of the teeth healthy. 

Tooth-Healthy Tips for New Parents 

• Bring your baby to the dentist when their first tooth erupts or before their first birthday, whichever happens first. 
• Avoid sharing utensils or cleaning pacifiers with your mouth to avoid spreading cavity-causing bacteria.
• Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. 

• Only use a bottle at feeding times and do not treat it like a pacifier.
• Start weaning from a bottle to a sippy cup around 12 months of age.
• Once your child can consume other liquids besides milk, stick to water as their main hydration source and only give them juice in moderation. 

Being a new parent can feel like a guessing game. Thankfully, when it comes to keeping your little one’s smile healthy, all the answers are clear. Stick to these strategies to care for your baby’s smile to help it develop strong and bright. If you have questions about your child’s oral health, contact our practice. We are here to support your child’s growing smile!