We are the proud parents of a newborn baby girl. We thought we were well-prepared, but there always seems to be something new to worry about! Recently, I heard that, even though our baby has no teeth yet, we already need to take steps to ensure that she has good dental health. Until she can start brushing on her own, what do we need to do?
It’s absolutely true that, from the day a baby is born, parents should take steps to provide good oral care for her. Your baby actually already has plenty of teeth — they simply haven’t broken through the gums yet (teething). Though it varies, teething will generally begin when a baby is about six months of age, and last until the age of 3.
Pediatric dentists (specialists in children’s dentistry) recommend that parents regularly clean their baby’s mouth. The gum pads should be wiped twice each day, once after breakfast and again after the last meal in the evening. The best way to do this is to wrap a two-inch square of gauze around your index finger, then gently wipe the gum pads of your child’s mouth (a soft washcloth can also be used). This will increase the chances of your child being cavity-free as she grows older.
Early feeding patterns will also have a significant impact on your child’s dental health. If a child is bottle-fed, pediatric dentists suggest that the best kind of bottle to use is one that most closely resembles the human breast. This shape allows her to exercise the muscles in her cheeks and tongue while she feeds. In addition, you should not give your baby a bottle — except at feeding time. If a bottle is used as a pacifier at bedtime or during the day, there is a danger that she could develop a mouthful of cavities even before the age of 2, due to the corrosive sugar naturally found in milk.
As more teeth appear, you can start using a small, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean her teeth. Toothpaste does not have to be used until your child is about 2 years old. At age 3, children usually have all 20 of their primary (baby) teeth. At this time, you should encourage her to get in the habit of regularly brushing her teeth, assisting her until she develops the dexterity to brush on her own.
If you take the proper steps to care for your child’s mouth and teeth during her first few years, you will give her the best chance at a lifetime of good dental health. That’s something that everyone can smile about.
