Dental Care Tips: When to Begin Brushing Your Baby's Teeth

Worried About Keeping Your Toddlers Teeth Clean?

A well-nourished child grows up to be healthy and strong. The mouth is the point of entry for these nutrients into the body. Thus, an unhealthy mouth will lead to an unhappy, unhealthy toddler. When you teach your baby good oral hygiene practices, you are laying the foundation for a life free of toothaches, gum bleeds, cavities, and missing teeth.

Maintaining good dental hygiene is particularly essential during pregnancy. According to studies, the mother can transmit early childhood caries (ECC) to the baby.

Common Dental Problems In Toddlers (12-36 Months)

The dental problems that occur in pre-schoolers are quite distinct and happen mainly due to poor oral hygiene. Some common teeth issues in children up to 3 years are:

1. Cavities/tooth decay

Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems in young children. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acids from sugary foods that eat away at the tooth enamel, leading to a hole in the tooth or cavities. They cause pain and irritation in children.

2. Gum disease/gingivitis

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria in the mouth. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums.

3. Teething

Some common problems seen during teething ( teeth eruption process) include mild pain, itchiness, drooling, irritation, and sore gums around the emerging teeth.

4. Tongue-tie

This is a condition in which the tongue is attached to the bottom of the mouth with a thick band of tissue, making it difficult for the child to move their tongue. This can lead to problems with breastfeeding, speech development, and oral hygiene.

5. Habits

Childhood habits like thumb-sucking, mouth breathing, and tongue thrusting lead to multiple dental deformities as the child grows.

6. Accidents/ dental emergencies

Children are prone to mouth injuries such as cuts, burns, and bruises. These may result from slips and falls, mishaps, or chewing on something hard.

Oral Hygiene In The First Three Years Of Your Child

It is critical to start caring for your child's teeth and oral hygiene from their birth. Healthy practices can help prevent or lessen cavities in your baby's and toddler's teeth.

Let us explore a few methods to keep your baby’s mouth squeaky clean and disease-free:

1. Gum care before 6 months of age

Newborns do not have teeth but do require regular oral hygiene maintenance. The gums of a newborn baby are referred to as "gum pads." These gum pads need to be wiped with a wet, soft cloth or wet gauze piece after every feed. While cleaning, the gums need to be massaged as well. One index finger press is adequate for the process.

Do not leave the feeding bottle in the mouth of the baby while sleeping. Leftover milk is a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause gum infections. Your child might start teething as early as 4 months; teething care is a must at these times.

2. Gum and teeth care between 6-12 months of age: Teething, a major concern

Teething may cause nagging pain, gum itch, red swollen areas in the gums, excessive salivation, and mild fever. These symptoms, put together, make the baby irritable and cranky.

As a caregiver, make sure to put your baby on a cold diet and soft foods. Consider teething toys, biting rings, or a pacifier to ease the itch.

Gently begin brushing the newly erupted teeth twice a day. Schedule the first dental appointment for the baby around this age.

Try to curb thumb sucking in the baby to prevent future mal-alignment of the teeth.

3. Oral hygiene between 12 to 18 months of age

Continue to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a soft, small-headed paediatric toothbrush. Use only a smear of fluoridated toothpaste specially formulated for his age.

Be vigilant for any milky white spots on the baby's teeth that could suggest the beginning of caries; these are called white spot lesions and form cavities at a later stage.

Also, look out for any developing habits like mouth breathing.

4. Best oral health practices for up to 3 years

The majority of the primary (first) teeth ought to have erupted by the time the baby is 30 months old. Most toddlers should cease sucking their thumbs and/or using pacifiers by the age of three. Visit the dentist periodically for sealant applications to prevent recurrent cavities.

A Diet That Supports Good Oral Health

For the first six months of a baby's life, they should only be breastfed, and then between six and twelve months of age, they can start eating semi-solid foods.[3] Avoid night-time breastfeeding after the eruption of the first milk tooth.

Here are some dos and don’ts about the best diet for oral health in children:

• Avoid baby food powders. They contain added sugars and preservatives.
• Avoid candies and sugar pops.
• Whole fruits that are mashed and pureed are better than fruit juices due to their high fibre content.
• Consumption of cow’s milk (24 ounces per day) is advisable only after 1 year of age.

Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth Isn’t Tough Anymore

Every child is entitled to complete oral health; it is a fundamental human right. The only challenging part of oral health in infants is that they cannot do it themselves.

Hence, parents, guardians, and paediatricians play a vital role. It is possible to prevent cavities and gum disease and improve the overall health of children by checking them for oral issues regularly and providing early prevention methods like dental sealants.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of dental care for young children is essential for nurturing their long-term oral health.

As we emphasize the importance of starting oral hygiene practices early, it's crucial to remember that these early steps lay the groundwork for healthy dental care tips that will benefit children throughout their lives.

By remaining vigilant about dental care and instilling good habits from a young age, we can help ensure that the children grow up with bright, healthy smiles.