If your child’s first teeth are appearing, you’re likely reaching for his baby book to record this exciting day! We agree – it is exciting, and we hope you also reach for your child’s toothbrush and toothpaste. Baby teeth are so important to clean, as it is the foundation for good oral hygiene for years to come. Discover a couple helpful tips to effectively clean baby teeth:
Use the Right Size Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Babies and children have smaller mouths than adults, so it’s important to get a child-sized toothbrush. If they’re old enough, you can get them excited about oral hygiene by letting them pick out their own toothbrush. Every toothbrush has a soft, medium, or hard label on it regarding the bristles, so make sure you choose a toothbrush that is labeled soft.
Also, it’s important to purchase toothpaste with the right amount of fluoride in it. A small amount of fluoride won’t hurt your child but still encourage them to spit out their toothpaste during and after you brush their teeth. Children’s toothpaste normally has a smaller percentage of fluoride in it already. If you’re interested, check the back of your child’s toothpaste. Under Active Ingredient, it will say “Sodium Fluoride” and a percentage next to it. That percentage refers to how much Sodium Fluoride is in the toothpaste. If you look at your adult toothpaste, that percentage will be higher.
Floss Daily Once Two Teeth are Touching
Floss reaches places that a toothbrush simply cannot clean. The small sliver of space that is between teeth can trap food and cause bacteria to grow. Once your baby has two teeth that touch, it’s important to floss before bedtime. This eliminates the opportunity for bacteria to flourish during the 10-12 hours that your baby is asleep. Flossing correctly will maximize the results! You can accomplish this by:
- Use 18” – 24” of floss.
- Stretch the floss tight.
- Gently move the floss up and down the tooth.
- Once you reach the base of the tooth, curve it between the gumline and the tooth to form a C-shape. This helps the floss remove any plaque that has formed between the gum and tooth.
Do you need to schedule your child’s dental appointment? Give us a call: 478-287-2179
Do you have other questions such as “When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?” or “Why is it bad to let my child go to bed with his bottle?” or “When should I make an appointment for my child to visit the dentist?” Check out this blog from our archives to discover the answers to those frequently asked questions about your baby’s dental health.