Dental Care For Baby Teeth and Gums

Lots of nursing moms are as happy about seeing first teeth erupt in their babies as they are worried. This is quite painful for babies, and they often get anxious and sometimes extremely noisy.

Besides, failure to follow some rules and provide due dental care during this period can cause even more serious issues. It should be noted that oral care should start long before first teeth emerge. To be exact, it should begin right from birth! Please, don’t panic: this is much easier than caring for teeth. This is going to be a little warm-up for the next 6-9 months!

Gum care

Clean your baby’s gums with a damp piece of soft cloth right after feeding, before bedtime, and in the morning. Terry cloth is great for this purpose. Rub it gently all the way along the gums. Don’t worry if this makes your child fussy. Most babies get used to the procedure, and some even learn to like it. If your baby does, you have a few months of relative peace, at least in terms of dental oral care. Failure to clean the gums properly can lead to the formation of plaques. They are highly populated with bacteria that may obliterate a tooth before it even starts to emerge.

Gum care must continue until and after teeth begin to pop up. This will make gums and, consequently, teeth more resistant to diseases. Particularly, it will prevent bacteria from accumulating along the gum-line and affecting teeth.

Tooth care

If you have the following symptoms, your baby must be teething. These are:

• Drooling
• Swollen gums
• Fussy behavior
• Thumb-sucking
• Slightly elevated body temperature

Since teething is painful, you need to take steps to relieve your baby’s suffering. Get a set of teething rings for your baby to chew on. Make sure they are not too small to prevent choking. Wash the rings carefully after use and keep them clean all the time.

Now it is time to get a toothbrush and toothpaste ready!

Brushing should start when first teeth become visible. Here are a few basic recommendations:

• Use a toothbrush with a long handle, small head and soft bristles
• Use a fluoride-free toothpaste
• Start with a rice-grain-sized portion of toothpaste on the bristles
• Start flossing once teeth form a row

Common dental issues in babies

Gum disease

Plaques can cause baby gum disease. The most common signs of the condition include reddening, swelling, and/or bleeding, especially after brushing. If you have noticed these symptoms, contact your local pediatrician immediately. Gum disease can be very distressing for both your baby and yourself.

Baby cavities

Dental cavities are likely to occur even at this early age. Most cases result from eating sugary foods, which create a paradise for bacteria. A white spot on a tooth are a sign of a cavity starting to develop. If left untreated, your child may lose teeth too early. Because baby teeth actually prepare your mouth for permanent teeth, early tooth loss may result in misaligned, crooked, crowded and/or sparse teeth in adulthood.

Visit a pediatric dentist regularly

Once the first tooth appears in your baby’s mouth, start visiting a dentist on a regular basis. He or she will prompt you an effective brushing/flossing technique and brief you on how to care for your baby’s teeth every day. Supervise your child’s toothbrushing until he or she completely learns how to do it properly (usually until 5 to 6 years old).

If you are considering a children’s dentist in Milton, just call us at 905-876-0200 to book an appointment for an initial consultation.