How to care for your baby's teeth...
Do I need to clean my baby's gums before his
teeth come in?
Yes, Even before your baby sports his first tooth, it's a
good idea to get into the habit of wiping his gums with gauze or a soft wet
washcloth during bath time. You don't need to use any toothpaste yet. Simply
wrap the cloth or gauze around your index finger and rub it gently over his
gums.
What's the best way to brush my baby's teeth
after they start coming in?
As your child's teeth start to appear (generally around 6
months), look for a baby toothbrush with a small head and grip suitable for
your hand. (If your child is healthy and still hasn't gotten her first tooth by
the end of her first year, don't worry – some children don't start getting
teeth until 15 to 18 months.)
Brush twice a day. Brush in the morning and right before
bedtime.
Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. To avoid giving
your child too much fluoride, use a thin smear of toothpaste or a dot the size
of a grain of rice.
Brush gently on the inside and outside of each of your
baby's teeth, as well as her tongue (if she'll let you), to dislodge bacteria that
can cause bad breath. Since you're using such a small amount of toothpaste,
there's no need to rinse.
When should I start taking my baby to the
dentist?
Take your child to the dentist within six months after
her first tooth erupts, or by her first birthday, whichever comes first.
Do certain foods cause tooth decay in
babies?
Certain foods can contribute to cavities. Sweet foods
like these are a common culprit: Fruit, dried fruit, juice, peanut butter and
jelly.
Starches can also contribute to cavities: Breads, crackers,
pasta, pretzels.
Serve these foods at mealtime rather than as snacks so
they're more likely to get dislodged and won't sit on the teeth too long.
Serving them with water is also helpful.
Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk,
formula, juice, or sweetened liquid. These liquids feed bacteria in the mouth
that cause tooth decay.
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