Tips for Infant Dental Care

While it’s true that baby teeth don’t last forever, that doesn’t mean that they’re not important. In fact, healthy baby teeth play a major role in having a healthy set of adult teeth. And without strong baby teeth, your little one will have a hard time eating properly and even learning to talk!

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help your child’s dental health, even before his or her first teeth begin to appear.

• • Using a clean, damp washcloth, gently wipe your baby’s gums to remove any bacteria. You should do this at least twice a day, and it’s particularly important to do it after feeding and before your little one goes to sleep at night.

• • Once your baby’s teeth begin to appear, use a wet, small toothbrush with very soft bristles to brush your infant’s teeth much as you would your own – except much more gently, of course. There’s no need to use any kind of toothpaste until your child is at least a year old. When you do begin to use a small amount of toothpaste, make sure it does not contain fluoride. Most experts agree that fluoride toothpaste should not be used on children under the age of 2.

You should continue to care for your child’s teeth for this way until he or she can do it alone. Make sure to take your child in for regular dental checkups beginning at a very early age, usually around 1 year old. Not only will this ensure that your child has healthy teeth, it will also give your toddler the opportunity to become accustomed to dental visits and establish good dental care habits for a lifetime.

Resource: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/caring-babies-teeth