Babies usually cut their first teeth between 4 and 7 months of age, although there is a very wide range of normal for this aspect of development! Once your baby starts to show some of the signs of teething – fussiness, a rash, excessive drooling and an increased sucking/chewing reflex – you may start thinking about dental care. Although milk teeth are not permanent, establishing good oral hygiene is vital to prevent premature loss of the milk teeth, infected gums and bad tooth-brushing habits.
Oral Hygiene Before Baby Gets Teeth
Most dentists recommend cleaning a baby's gums even before he starts teething. Although bacteria are unlikely to damage the gums at this age, wiping the gums with a wet cloth wrapped around a finger will accustom the baby to the cleaning process.
Oral Hygiene When the First Teeth Appear
Once a baby's milk teeth have begun to erupt, the teeth and gums should be cleaned once or twice a day. The wet washcloth method can still be used, although parents should now be aware of the danger of having fingers bitten! The alternative is a toothbrush designed for babies. Small, soft-bristled brushes are available, as well as ridged rubber toothbrushes. It is not recommended to use an electric toothbrush for babies. Let the baby suck and chew on the toothbrush to become familiar with it.
At this stage, toothpaste is neither required nor recommended. Babies swallow rather than spit, and ingesting too much fluoride has been linked to a number of health problems including fluoridosis – white spots on adult teeth in later years.
Brushing teeth will become more important as your baby begins eating solids. Use common sense – instead of brushing in the morning and evening, brush after your baby has finished a drink of juice or eaten a bowl of applesauce.
When to Start Using Toothpaste
From around 18 months, you can begin using a small (pea-sized) quantity of regular toothpaste. For those worried about the fluoride content of adult toothpaste, special low-fluoride formulations are available for babies and toddlers. Many toddlers balk at the taste of mint toothpaste; fortunately, alternative flavours ranging from bubble-gum to berry now exist.
Older babies should be encouraged to practice brushing their own teeth, but parents must be realistic and insist on helping to ensure a thorough job! A quick swipe on the baby's tongue will help prevent bad breath.
When to Start Flossing Baby's Teeth
As soon as your baby has two teeth that touch, flossing is recommended to prevent bacteria building up in the cracks. Flossing a baby's teeth is not the easiest thing in the world! Some parents like to use flossing picks rather than regular dental floss. The plastic flossing tools which look like cheese graters can also make the job easier. Be very gentle to begin with – flossing often causes slight bleeding for the first few days, but should cease after that.
Tips for Tooth Brushing
- Never share a toothbrush with your baby (or anyone else!). Bacteria can be transmitted which cause infections and bad breath.
- Normal toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. A baby who likes to chew and suck on his toothbrush may wear it out even earlier - keep an eye out for worn, frayed bristles.
Remember that infant oral hygiene is as much about establishing good habits as protecting the baby's teeth. By accustoming your child to gentle washing, toothbrushing and flossing, you will set up a pattern of oral care which will help prevent dental issues in later life.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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