How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

There’s a lot that goes in to taking care of a baby and it’s important that their teeth aren’t overlooked. Learn how to care for your baby’s teeth here.

Did you know that babies can get cavities? Your child's teeth are essential to their development. Untreated tooth decay can impact speaking, eating, and learning. 



As your baby grows, you want to give them a healthy start in every aspect of their life. However, for new parents, oral care for your baby's teeth might be something you're not too sure about. 

If you want to learn how to keep your little one's new teeth healthy, keep reading. 

Why Are Baby Teeth So Important?

What makes baby teeth so important? Your child's baby teeth serve as placeholders for the adult teeth that will come in later in their life.

Losing those teeth too early can cause overcrowding of your child's permanent teeth when they do come in. This can create problems later on down the road. 



In addition, decayed baby teeth can make speech less clear and make chewing difficult. Starting oral care early will help prevent these problems and help your child have a healthy smile they can feel confident about. 

When Should You Start Your Babies Oral Care Routine? 

You might know that caring for your child's teeth is important; however, do you know when to start your baby's oral care routine? Many parents might believe that you don't have to worry about oral care until your child has teeth. 

But that's simply not true. You should start an oral care routine for your little one even before their first teeth come in. 



Oral care from birth will help start a good routine for your child and prepare them to start getting their teeth brushed. In addition, cleaning your child's gums before they have teeth can help remove bacteria. 

How to Care for Baby Teeth

How you're caring for your baby's teeth in part depends on their age and whether they have had teeth come in yet. The average child starts having teeth come in between six months and 12 months old. However, they can begin to get teeth earlier. 

As you're caring for your child's teeth, make sure you notice what they usually look like. You will want to look at their lips, gums, and teeth. If you start to see white or brown spots, it could indicate dental decay. 

From Birth

You should always clean your baby's teeth after feeding them. Before their teeth come in, you will use a moistened, soft washcloth. 

Take your baby and cradle them in one arm. Wrap the moistened cloth around the index finger of your other hand. Use your finger and the cloth to gently massage your little one's gum tissues. 

Six to Twelve Months

Once your baby's first teeth come in you, want to care for them right from the start. You will continue to clean their gums after feeding them; however, you also want to start brushing the teeth they do have. 

You'll want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush with no toothpaste at this age. 

Twelve to Eighteen Months

At this age, you will continue to brush your child's teeth. Make sure you continue using a soft-bristle toothbrush with no toothpaste. 

In addition, keep an eye out for signs of decay. 

Eighteen Months to Five

At around 30 months old, all of your child's teeth should have come in. Once your child reaches the age of two, you should start using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. 

You want to make sure that your little one doesn't swallow the toothpaste and teach them to spit it out. You can start teaching your child to brush their own teeth. 



However, continue to supervise them. Your child should have the ability to start brushing their teeth independently around the age of six or seven. 

Other Early Dental Care Tips

Caring for your child's teeth and gums is essential. But, there are some other steps you can take to help your child's baby teeth stay healthy as they grow.

Bottles

Don't let your little one go to bed with a bottle. Milk or juice in the bottle has sugar that can erode their baby teeth. 

In addition, it can cause bacteria to grow in their mouth and gums. If you do give your baby a bottle at bedtime, make sure it only has water in it. 

Between six and twelve months old, you should begin to wean your little one from their bottle. 

Your baby should have stopped using a pacifier and sucking their thumb by the age of three. 

Teething

When your baby does begin teething, use teething rings or cold, wet washcloths to help soothe their gums. Cold temperatures help, so you might want to chill teething rings used. 

Germs

Did you know that dental decay is an infectious, transmissible disease? Make sure that you're not testing bottle temperature with your mouth, sharing utensils, or cleaning bottle nipples or pacifiers by putting them in your mouth. 

Fluoride



Around six months old, your child should start drinking a little bit of water with fluoride. However, if you live in an area where your drinking water isn't fluoridated, you should talk to your pediatrician about infant fluoride supplements. 

When Should Babies See a Dentist?

The mean age that parents take their baby to the dentist for the first time is 14.92 months old. However, don't let that number fool you. 

You should actually be taking your child to the dentist for the first time by the time their first birthday rolls around. It's recommended that your little one's first appointment should occur within six months of their first tooth coming in. 

This appointment is critical because it gives your family dentist the chance to make sure your child's teeth are healthy and discuss any concerns. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get tips on how to make sure you're effectively caring for your baby's new teeth. 



One important factor to discuss with a dentist for babies is how often you should bring them in. Make sure you follow the recommendations given to keep your child's teeth healthy. 

Start Caring for Your Baby's Teeth Early

Ensuring you start practicing good oral hygiene early is essential for your baby's teeth. Use the tips above and ensure that you're taking your little one in for their regular dental appointments.



Are you looking for a dentist in Laurel, MD, for kids or babies? Contact us today to find out how we can help you and your little one.