Dental care for baby teeth should start before your baby’s first tooth appears. When your baby is around three months old, you can start by gently wiping his/her gums using a damp, clean face cloth or gauze twice a day.
This helps to get your baby ready for brushing when the first tooth appears.
As soon as the first tooth appears, you can start brushing it using a soft infant toothbrush designed for children under two years. If he/she doesn’t like the toothbrush in their mouth, you can keep using a clean, damp face cloth or gauze. Gently wipe the front and back of each tooth.
Use a fluoride free toothpaste until your baby is 12 months old. However fluoride is important for dental health and a fluoride containing toothpaste should be used from 12 months onwards.
Remember: Cleaning and caring for children’s teeth early on creates good dental care habits for life.
How to clean your baby’s teeth
Position your baby so you can see his/her mouth. Sit on a bed or the floor and place your baby’s head on your lap.
Cup his/her chin in your hands, with baby’s head resting against your body.
Lift your baby’s lip to clean teeth using soft, circular motions.
Make sure you spend time on the front and back of each tooth. Cleaning the tooth all the way to where it exits the gum.
You could try to make brushing fun by making a game out of it or singing a song
Keep the toothbrush clean
After cleaning your baby’s teeth and gums, rinse the toothbrush with tap water.
Store the toothbrush upright in an open container to allow it to air-dry.
Replace toothbrush every 3-4 months, or when the bristles get worn or frayed.
A worn or frayed toothbrush becomes significantly less effective at removing plaque
Preventing early tooth decay
Brushing alone isn’t enough to prevent tooth decay. Diet plays an equally important role.
Once you introduce solids, also avoid giving your baby foods high in sugar. Let them drink milk or water, please avoid giving your baby sugary drinks like soda, fruit juice or ice tea.
Don’t put your baby to sleep with a bottle. The formula or milk still contains sugar and when the teeth are exposed for long periods it increases the risk for decay.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Give your baby fruit to eat and water to drink rather than fruit juice.
When to visit the dentist
It is recommended that you visit your dentist when your baby is around 12 months of age.
Regular visits to you dentist aids in the prevention and early detection of tooth decay
If have any concerns about your little one’s teeth, you can contact us on WhatsApp +2763 639 7839 or simply pop us an email: info@tinysmile.co.za
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