The Importance of Baby Teeth Care

Baby teeth care can be started even before the tiny white teeth are visible. Learn how and why.

Part of a baby's growth is the eruption of his baby teeth. Knowing how to manage baby teeth care is very important to ensure that your baby will have minimal gum and teeth problems as the years roll by.

Most babies sprout their first tooth between 4 and 7 months of age. But both earlier and later is normal. For some, the teething doesn't start until the baby is approaching his first birth day.

However, regardless of how early or late your baby starts teething, taking care of his or her teeth is very important. And actually, the foundation of proper dental hygiene starts even before the teeth come out. Baby tooth decay is something you definitely want to avoid. So, no need to wait!

Guidelines To Proper Baby Teeth Care

• When to start
• What To Use
• How To Get Your Baby Used To A Toothbrush and Baby Toothpaste
• Teething Problems & Teething Aids
• Illness While Teething

When to start

It is important to avoid tooth decay and losing baby teeth too early. This is because the spacing for the adult teeth will be compromised. Chances are, if your baby suffers from baby tooth decay and loses his baby teeth, he may need braces if his permanent teeth are not positioned properly.

If you have concerns, never be afraid to voice it out to your baby's pediatrician. There is no question too silly to ask.

What To Use

However, baby toothpaste for slightly older babies should have a small amount of fluoride because it will help keep baby tooth decay at bay. A low fluoride baby toothpaste can be started when your baby has grown to about 18 months.

You will also need a and soft washcloth to get your baby used to having something inside his mouth. There are fruit flavored baby toothpaste that can make the initial experience more pleasant. You will also need a soft finger brush or other baby tooth brush after the first tooth has erupted.

How To Get Your Baby Used To A Toothbrush and Baby Toothpaste

It is easiest to start getting your baby used to the idea of brushing by holding your baby in your lap, in a sitting position. Use the soft washcloth (it can be cold, if you want but definitely not warm or hot) to gently rub your baby's gums. Do this twice a day until the baby teeth start appearing. Then you can switch to the soft finger toothbrush or baby tooth brush.

Teething Problems & Teething Aids

There are a wide variety of very attractive and cute teething products, as well as teething gels that you can opt to buy for your baby. Just make sure to get the approval of your baby's pediatrician on which teething gel to buy, and use it sparingly. As for the teething rings, never freeze them and then give it to your baby frozen. This will hurt your baby's gums.

Avoid teething food products like sweet biscuits and bananas because these are choking hazards, especially for young infants. Find more teething medies here.

Illness While Teething

If your baby tends to pull on his ears, this could indicate something other than a teething problem, such as an ear infection. Also, contrary to common beliefs, a high-grade fever is not a symptom of teething, so if your child starts to show signs of increasing temperature, see your baby's pediatrician as soon as possible.

Your efforts to give proper baby teeth care will pave the way for your child's healthy gums and teeth, and you and your child will enjoy the benefits long after the milk teeth are gone.

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