Top 10 Oral Health Tips for Babies and Toddlers
Healthy teeth are important, and taking care of those teeth to keep them healthy is even more important. Adults learn how to take care of their teeth with time, but what about babies and toddlers whose teeth are still inside the gums or have just started emerging?
Well, we understand that, as parents how cautious you are about your baby's oral health. So, to contribute to your plan, we compiled a list of tips that can help you take care of your baby’s teeth with utmost care and awareness.
Why Healthy Teeth are Important for Babies?
Infants are born with their entire set of 20 primary teeth in their gumline of lower and upper jawbones. Even when you can’t see them, they are there, getting developed and ready to erupt. So, dentists suggest you should start oral hygiene for your babies early. Taking the first step early can help prevent tooth decay (cavities) or gum disease.
It is important to care because a baby's oral hygiene condition as an infant can significantly affect their adult smile. Their primary teeth are important because:
* They help babies with their speech development.
* They are responsible for chewing and proper digestion.
* They hold space for their permanent (adult) teeth to appear.
* They help form the shape of the face of your baby.
10 Best Oral Health Tips for Babies and Toddlers
Here are the best oral health tips you need to know to help your babies develop healthy teeth:
1. Early Oral Care
For babies, you can start wiping their gums with your clean fingers using a soft and clean cloth after every feeding. This can help in removing the bacteria and buildup. Once the baby's teeth start coming in, you can switch to a soft toothbrush. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and gently brush in a circular motion for toddlers under the age of 3 years.
2. Encourage Drinking Water
Boil and cool down the water before giving it to babies under 12 months. For babies over 1 year of age, you can use fluoride water. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and protects babies from tooth decay. Consulting your hygienist Wimbledon about other sources of fluoride water can help if your local water supply is not fluoridated.
3. Limit the Use of Bottle
If your baby sleeps with the bottle still in their mouth, the milk can stay in the baby's mouth and teeth. You should avoid feeding with bottles during nighttime to protect your baby from cavities. Additionally, If the baby falls asleep while feeding, the milk can leak into the ears, causing ear infection, or the baby can choke.
4. Long-Term Dental Care
Introducing brushing twice a day, once the baby has two teeth touching, is a seed for the future. Additionally, you can encourage babies to stop depending on the pacifier. Even though pacifiers are soothing for babies, they can impact their teeth alignment and development.
5. Introduce a Cup
Once the babies are 6 to 12 months old, they can drink from a sippy cup or a regular cup. Toddlers between the age of 1 to 3 years should only drink from a cup. Weaning the baby from the bottle reduces the risk of tooth decay and encourages proper drinking habits.
6. Teaching Brushing Techniques
When your baby’s teeth start coming in, use small, soft-bristled toothbrushes. Additionally, you can start teaching your toddler about oral hygiene and the right brushing techniques. Until the baby learns to do it without any supervision, keep guiding them on how to floss and brush their teeth in a circular motion.
7. Avoid sugar
Avoid giving beverages and snacks to the baby that contain sugar. Sticky gums and sugary drinks can stick to the teeth and stay there for a long time, which can result in tooth decay. Moreover, tooth decay can expand when teeth get exposed to sugar-containing fluids for a long time.
8. Healthy Diet
Dairy products, leafy greens, and fish can nourish your baby with all the necessary oral health nutrition. These foods are a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. Additionally, if you decide to give your toddler juice, you can offer less than 4 ounces per day. For kids aged 3-5 years, you can offer less than 6 ounces a day.
9. Regular Cavity Checks
Precaution is always better than cure, especially when it comes to oral hygiene of babies. Look for the early signs of tooth decay, like discolouration or white spots on the baby’s teeth. Schedule a checkup with your dentist in Wimbledon by your baby’s first birthday and regularly after that for the development of healthy teeth.
10. Avoid Sharing
Babies are sensitive, and you can easily pass your bacteria through saliva to babies by sharing cutlery or spoons. Additionally, refrain from cleaning the nibbles of the bottle or checking the temperature of milk with your mouth. You should also avoid sharing your personal anxiety about visiting the dentist with your toddler. Instead, you can encourage emotional well-being by discussing any fear they might have about visiting the dentist.
Time to Visit the Dentist
Oral health is important not just for babies but for the whole family. Children learn from what they see. Making brushing and oral hygiene part of your daily routine can help your child understand its importance.
Don’t forget to consult your dentist if you find your baby experiencing pain, teeth discolouration, or bad breath that doesn’t go away. One of your trusted options can be The Dentist Lounges. With years of experience, their highly skilled and patient-focused team is always at your service for the best dental care.