Over the course of their first three years of life, babies will gain 20 baby (or primary) teeth. This comes with a lot of challenges for new parents, including soothing teething discomfort and starting to help their children care for their oral health. Brushing your baby’s teeth can be a challenge, especially when they are at an age where you really cannot communicate with them, and you are already on low sleep. In this quick guide, we will cover some important tips for brushing your baby’s teeth. For family dental appointments in Chicago, contact one of our twelve offices.
When Should You Start Brushing Your Child’s Teeth?
You should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the very first tooth erupts through the gumline. The earlier you start brushing their teeth, the lower their risk for developing cavities and other dental issues. Moreover, getting into a routine can help ease them into brushing on a regular basis. In fact, before the teeth emerge, you can use a damp washcloth or silicone finger brush to help keep their gums clean. Even without teeth, your child can get bacteria in their mouth when eating, so it is important to protect their teeth and gums.
What Toothbrush and Toothpaste Do You Use With Infants?
You should buy a toothbrush that is specifically designed for infants and babies. These brushes have very soft bristles and are much smaller so they can easily fit in their mouths. In terms of toothpaste, you can find toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride when you are first starting out, but around six months old (or when they get their first tooth), you should talk to your pediatrician or dentist about using fluoride toothpaste. That said, you should always use less than a grain of rice of toothpaste since your child cannot spit the toothpaste out right away. Once your child is older (about three years old), you can encourage them to spit out the toothpaste and use about a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
How Do You Brush Your Child’s Teeth
Let’s get something out of the way: babies wiggle a lot. They can also shut their mouths and shake their heads to avoid you brushing their teeth. It is important to choose a safe position for brushing their teeth. For example, you can have them sit on your lap and have them recline against your torso. You should avoid trying to hold them in your arms while standing, since you need at least one hand to brush their teeth, and if they squirm too much, it can be difficult to effectively brush their teeth. When brushing their teeth, you should use gentle circular motions to clean the front and back of each tooth. Your child might want to chew on the toothbrush, especially if they are teething, or they may even want to hold the toothbrush. This can help them familiarize themselves with the toothbrush. You can also gently tap the toothbrush against their arms or cheeks so they can get used to it before you put it in their mouth.
Schedule Pediatric Dental Appointments in Chicago
If you live in Chicago and ned to schedule any dental appointments for yourself or your kids, we would be happy to assist you. With twelve offices throughout the Chicago area, our teams of family dentists have helped countless parents and their children manage their oral health.