October 24, 2019

How to Care for Baby Teeth & Gums

Everyone knows dental care is important for children and adults, but what about baby teeth? It’s important to keep baby teeth clean and healthy because baby teeth hold spaces open for the permanent teeth to come in. For most babies, teeth begin to appear at 6-10 months. To set your child up for a lifetime of good oral health, carefully look after their gums and developing teeth.

Caring for Baby Gums

You may be off the hook for brushing, but the gum line still needs gentle cleaning at this stage. Keeping baby gums clean allows you to ward off bacteria while also helping to relieve soreness from teething. Dip a piece of clean gauze in water and wrap the cloth around your pointer finger. Gently rub the gauze along your child’s gums at least once per day. If your baby is eating some solid foods without teeth, you can repeat this step after each meal.

Dental Care for Baby Teeth

As soon as teeth arrive, you can clean them twice a day – in the morning and before bed. Gently brush your baby’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a grain-sized amount of fluoride-free toothpaste. The head of your baby’s toothbrush should be specially sized for small children whose teeth are still developing.

When two or more of your baby’s teeth are touching, you can start flossing regularly. Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and beneath the gum line.

Keep on the lookout for any signs of baby tooth decay — brown or white spots or pits on the teeth. If you or your pediatrician notices any problems, take your child to a pediatric dentist for an exam.

Even if there isn’t a problem, your child should go for his or her first dentist visit by age 1. The dentist can give you advice about baby tooth care.