So your child’s teeth are popping out of the gum line for the first time. And there come tears in your eyes – of course, you’re happy! Now that your baby is growing and entering a new phase, you have to control your emotions (only a little) and pay attention to brushing the baby’s teeth.
If this is your firstborn, or you’re still unaware of the right time to start brushing your infant’s teeth, we are here to help.
In this post, we will help you understand:
- The perfect time to start brushing your baby’s teeth.
- The best way to brush your infant’s teeth.
- Choosing your baby’s first toothbrush.
- Can the little one use fluoride toothpaste?
- How to brush your baby’s teeth when they refuse?
When do I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
You can brush your infant’s teeth before they pop out of the gum line. It’s even more interesting to know that you can begin dental care for your little ones right from birth.
Newborn and beyond – start gum brushing
It’s lame to ask if you love your child. Of course, you do. And that’s one of the reasons you’re reading this post.
Your baby’s teeth may start popping out of the gum line between 4 and 12 months. But you don’t have to wait to brush the baby’s teeth till they have a mouthful of teeth. You must start cleaning your baby’s teeth from day one.
You may use a wet soft cloth or finger brush to wipe out the bacteria. It would help your baby’s teeth grow stronger right from day one.
The baby’s first tooth
Now that your little one is showing teeth from the gum line, you can regularly start brushing the teeth. Brush for two minutes, at least twice a day. The last brushing time should be before their bedtime. It would protect their teeth from any bacteria.
It would be best if you also considered taking your child to a pediatrician. They will help you understand the entire phenomenon of brushing your infant’s teeth.
12 to 18 month
Your child is growing fast. You must also pay close attention to their oral health and their health.
If you haven’t started brushing your teeth, it’s high time you start doing it now. Make a habit of brushing your child’s teeth twice a day.
While some pediatric specialists suggest flossing your child’s teeth, we recommend a consultation before you do that.
How do I brush my baby’s teeth?
Brushing your child’s teeth is similar to brushing anyone else’s teeth. The primary thing that may differ is when you have started brushing your child’s teeth.
Before your kid has teeth
As said earlier, you may use a soft wet cloth to clean your baby’s teeth. You may also use a finger brush to clean the baby’s teeth and rinse the mouth.
Whatever tool (wet cloth or finger brush) you use, be gentle to the gums and ensure the tool reaches every corner so no bacteria can stay hidden.
After your baby has teeth
Now that your kid has some teeth but doesn’t know how to spit, you can use a damp brush to clean the teeth.
Circling gently across the mouth, brushing the teeth. You may also use a little toothpaste to clean the teeth.
Now to the tricky part – spitting. Show them how to gargle and spit. It would take a while, but they all learn it.
How do I choose my baby’s first toothbrush?
You must choose your child’s toothbrush carefully with age and type of teeth.
You can choose a finger brush or wet cloth if your child doesn’t have teeth.
When your child has growing teeth, you can choose a soft toothbrush with their favorite cartoon characters.
As they grow more, you can choose between soft and hard toothbrushes. The best way to choose a toothbrush for your child is by consulting a pediatric dentist. They’re experts and know the best toothbrush for your child’s teeth.
Can the little one use fluoride toothpaste?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends fluoride toothpaste as safe and effective for everyone, even children. However, you should learn the amount of fluoride toothpaste for the little ones before they start using it.
It’s better to consult a pediatric dentist when deciding the correct quantity for your child.
How do I brush my baby’s teeth when they refuse?
There will come times when the little ones refuse to brush their teeth. It could be frustrating for parents.
Before throwing away all the brushes, try some of these techniques if you haven’t already:
- Does your child love music? Let’s play it then. There are plenty of videos for kids encouraging them to brush their teeth. Try one of those and push your child to brush regularly.
- Need fun activities? Bring creativity and give your child a fun-looking brush.
- If your child is too lazy to do brushing, get them an electric brush.
- Your child might want to brush their teeth. Let them do it. They will soon learn to brush it precisely as required.
- How about rewarding your child for doing a good job? A dollar perhaps may encourage the kid to brush regularly.
Conclusion
You need to know that your child’s teeth are a precious gift from God. Don’t let anyone take away this gift from your child. Start cleaning your child’s teeth right from the day they’re born. Continue this practice, so they develop the habit of brushing regularly.
Contact a pediatric near you if you are facing difficulties brushing your babies teeth
