A Complete Oral Care Guide for your Baby

Infants need special care when it comes to oral health even before the first tooth appears!

Babies are born with a complete set of teeth, ten on top and ten on the bottom, concealed in their gums. On average, the first tooth emerges from beneath the gums by the age of 6 months. Dentists recommend that a baby’s teeth and gums be cared for well before the first tooth appears. Oral care should begin the minute you bring your baby home. Getting your baby acclimatized to having their mouth cleaned is an excellent place to start. Under no circumstances, however, should you put anything in your baby’s mouth that has even the tiniest hint of chemicals.

Choose completely natural products like Mamaearth baby oral care products and Chicco’s toothbrushes, which are specially designed for your baby’s first milk teeth and tested to be safe for infants.

Importance of good oral health

Developing a healthy oral care routine for your baby as early as possible will set the foundation for good dental care habits for the rest of their life. It is just as important as their vaccinations. When teeth are not adequately cared for, tooth decay and cavities can occur in baby teeth much faster than in adult teeth. Caused by bacteria, cavities can destroy the developing permanent teeth and lead to discomfort, pain, and infections, which can spread from the mouth to the rest of the body.

Teething and the first tooth

Teething refers to the process through which a baby tooth emerges from the gums. When your baby begins teething, you may notice that they drool more or want to gnaw on everything. Teething for a specific tooth lasts around 8 days on average, from 4 days before the tooth cuts through the gums to 4 days after.

It could be painless for some babies, but it is frequently very unpleasant for others. Lack of appetite, sleeping difficulties, and a persistent need to touch their face and ears are all indicators that your baby is teething. Gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger or giving them a clean, cool object to chew on can help relieve discomfort.

When a baby’s first tooth appears, it’s important to purchase a soft-bristled toothbrush. A baby’s first tooth typically appears between the ages of 6 and 8 months. Once you’ve started brushing their first tooth, you can also use the soft bristles to gently brush their tongue as well.

Brushing the teeth

Brush your baby’s teeth twice daily between the ages of 12 and 18 months, ideally with plain water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. When your child is 18 months old, you can start brushing their teeth with toothpaste formulated for kids.

Until the age of three, the American Dental Association advises using only a tiny dollop of toothpaste approximately the size of a rice grain. Choose a fluoride-free toothpaste, such as those available in the Mamaearth baby oral care range to provide effective cavity prevention without irritating the gums or teeth of your infant.

Don’t worry if you cannot get any brushing done at first; the goal is to get your child habituated to brushing their teeth as part of their everyday routine. Also, keep in mind that babies aren’t aware that they need to spit the toothpaste out after brushing. Dr. Trista Onesti, a board-certified pediatric dentist, suggests wiping away excess toothpaste with damp gauze.

Brush your child’s teeth thoroughly over time, being sure to cover all of the surfaces. Then, brush your child’s teeth in tiny circles and encourage them to spit out the toothpaste after.

A bright smile

It is important to understand how a baby’s gums and teeth should normally look to detect and treat any problems right away. For example, if you notice any brown patches on the teeth, it might be a sign of dental decay, and you can counteract it by modifying your baby’s diet or oral care routine. Baby oral care is only the start of a lifelong practice of excellent oral hygiene. Embrace the pleasures of caring for your baby’s teeth and gums just like you would every new developmental step of your baby. Give them a reason to charm everyone with the brightest smile.