Looking after your Babys Teeth
Date Added: June 20, 2008 05:16:11 AM
The best thing you can do when your baby starts getting her teeth through is to start cleaning them. You only need to gently clean them with a suitable toothbrush that has soft bristles and a small head, and clean them once or twice per day.
Some dentists believe that baby toothpastes shouldn’t be used at all. They actually recommend that baby’s should be started off with a mild adult toothpaste instead. The reason for this is that the baby’s toothpaste is far too low in fluoride for it to properly clean and care for the teeth. You may still prefer to use a baby’s toothpaste, and while that is fine, remember to mix it with an adult toothpaste as well.
At first, you will have to brush your baby’s teeth yourself. They can when they are a little older do it themselves. They may decide to suck the toothbrush rather than brush their teeth, so you may have to do it yourself again! You should encourage your child to brush their own teeth as it gets them used to doing it every day. All children learn by example, so when you can, let them watch you brush your own teeth and they are sure to follow suit!
By the time your baby hits three years old, they should have fully mastered the art of brushing their own teeth. You can make it into a fun daily routine by letting them choose their own toothbrush or by making it into a game.
Here are a few tips to help your child avoid tooth decay at a young age.
· Instead of giving your child sweets and chocolate as treats, why not opt for healthier treats such as fruit or savory snacks.
· After eating something sweet and sugary, start encouraging your child to brush afterwards.
· Never give your child undiluted juice. Dilute it with 3 parts water and 1 part juice. If your child likes drinking water, cut out juice altogether and stick with good old fashioned water.
· Never put juice in a bottle, always put it in a cup instead. Drinking it from a bottle will increase the likelihood of tooth decay. The juice hits the teeth rather than going down the throat.
Visit a dentist every 6 months as soon as your child starts to show teeth. Most start going at around 1 years old. This gets the child used to the environment and to having their teeth looked at!
