When Do Babies Get Their First Teeth – Everything You Need To Know
2. Brushing Technique:
Brush your baby’s teeth in vertical and circular motion with short strokes and a light hand.
- Also brush the top of the molars, to remove any unwanted food particles.
- Don’t forget to brush the insides of the upper and bottom teeth.
- Do not brush horizontally.
- It is recommended by dentists to brush for at least 3 minutes.
- In the end, gently brush the tongue with the soft bristles or the back of the toothbrush.
- If your kid is below 4 years of age and you are using non-fluoride toothpaste, there is no need to rinse and spit out.
- If your kid is above 4 years of age and you are using fluoride toothpaste, ensure your kid rinses his/her mouth and spits out the toothpaste. Repeat the process 3-4 times with water, until the toothpaste is completely rinsed off.
- Rinse your kids’ toothbrush bristles and handle under running water.
- Place the toothbrush in a holder upright and open.
- Encourage your kid to brush her teeth by herself.
3. Flossing:
Once your baby has more than one tooth, it would be a good habit to start flossing your baby’s teeth.
- Use soft floss for your baby’s teeth that won’t hurt her teeth or gums.
- Following flossing in the daily dental regime will ensure kids floss by themselves later in life as well.
- Kids develop the ability to floss by themselves around 9-10 years of age.
4. Brushing Twice A Day:
Brush your baby’s teeth twice a day.
- Ensure your baby brushes once in the morning and once in the night.
- Most parents and kids tend to skip or get lazy about brushing at night. But this is a very important step to maintain oral hygiene and should not be avoided however sleepy you may be.
10 Tips To Make Brushing Teeth Fun:
Most parents have a tough time getting their kids to brush. Even if you do manage to get your kid to brush, it’s a herculean task to brush the right way for at least 3 minutes.
Here are some fun ways to get your kid to brush:
1. Let her choose the toothbrush and toothpaste she would like to use.
2. Bring them a storybook that animates the importance of brushing and how to brush.
3. Brush with your kid. Make it a family event to brush teeth.
4. If your kid is being stubborn, let her brush your teeth for you. Eventually she will brush her teeth well too.
5. Sing-a-song for 3 minutes while brushing.
6. Sway to a tune, if your kid likes to shake a leg, put on some fun music and sway to some tunes while brushing.
7. Let her look at herself in the mirror while brushing. It will keep her amused for a bit.
8. Reward your kid for brushing, not with a chocolate though. Chalk out a few things she would love to get for brushing her teeth.
9. Let her bring along her stuffed toy or doll to brush their teeth too.
10. Play a silly game to keep her brushing.
How To Avoid Tooth Decay In Your Baby?
Tooth decay is a common problem in younger kids and can be easily avoided if good oral hygiene is followed. Follow these measures to avoid tooth decay:
1. Don’t leave a bottle of milk or juice in your baby’s mouth and let her sleep.
2. Avoid sugary and fizzy drinks between meals or at bedtime. Tooth decay can occur due to frequent and long exposure of sugary products.
3. If your baby has the habit of drinking milk just before bedtime, be sure to clean her mouth before she sleeps.
4. Ensure your baby has a healthy balanced diet.
5. Give your baby or kid sufficient water post meals and in – between as well. If your baby is below 1 year of age, please read here about how much water to give.
6. Post eating meals and snacks, teach your kid to rinse her mouth with water to avoid food particles remaining in her mouth.
7. Make your kid eat foods rich in calcium, lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains to avoid tooth decay.
8. Visit the pediatric dentist regular and check for cavities or any other issues.
9. If your kid complains of toothache, take him to the pediatric dentist for a thorough check-up.
Once your kid is 1 year of age, make it a routine to visit your pediatric dentist twice a year. Share with him any dental concerns your kid may have, like use of pacifier, excessive sucking of thumbs, cavities, bleeding gums, bad breath, history of dental issues in the family.
We do hope you are now well aware of teething baby, good oral hygiene and will maintain the best for your baby.
Do share your fun experiences of brushing with your kid with us.
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.
