04/08/2020
Your baby’s first tooth is one of the most celebrated milestones! We’ve talked quite a lot about teething, but once that tooth pops out, it’s equally important to know how to take care of it to prevent cavities and decay.
Clean the gums ☝🏼
Yes, oral care for your baby starts even BEFORE that first tooth arrives! Wipe baby’s gums after each feeding with a clean warm, wet washcloth to rub off excess food.
Take care of them right away! 🦷
Once that first tooth pops up, it’s important to take care of it right away! Even if they will eventually be replaced, the first teeth are so important because they preserve the spacing for the permanent ones to grow. Plus, they help baby to chew and talk.
If the first teeth are not cared for, they can decay and develop gingivitis, which will affect the spacing for future permanent teeth.
Avoid putting baby to sleep with bottle🍼
Putting baby to bed with a bottle of milk (or worse, juice!) is NOTORIOUS for cavities. Avoid leaving baby with the bottle for a long period of time, especially if you notice baby is using it for comfort instead of feeding.
Brush with toothpaste at age 2 ✌🏼
Once that first tooth pops up, it’s time ti start brushing! Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (size of a rice grain) and brush twice a day. My First Colgate is a good toothpaste to start with, but you can also consult your child’s dentist for recommendations.
Pay the dentist a visit! 👋🏼
The American Dental Association and American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommend that baby gets his first dental exam around the age of 1, or when his first tooth appears. You can opt to visit Paediatric Dentists, who are specially trained to care for a child’s mouth.
Baby teeth are sometimes overlooked, since they are not permanent teeth. However, they are actually so important to your baby’s oral hygiene, and development in other areas such as chewing and talking. The earlier you start placing importance in baby’s oral care, the easier it is for baby to internalize and instill the good habit of brushing teeth, which could last for years to come!