Baby Dental Care - Dental Health | Baby Hygiene

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Baby Dental Care » Dental Health

Hygiene Though babies are born without teeth, early mouth care is important. Care for a newborn's gums by cleaning them gently with a clean, soft, damp cloth wrapped around your finger. You can do this every time you give him a bath. After your baby's teeth begin to appear, clean them daily with dampened gauze or a clean face towel until your baby is big enough to use a toothbrush.

When your child is about one year old, you can purchase a soft child-size toothbrush for him. Toothpaste breaks down plaque but it is not necessary if the child is very young. At least once a day -preferably before bedtime - let your child Thrush' his own teeth. This will probably consist mainly of chewing on the toothbrush. At this age, it is more important to establish a dental care habit rather than at-tempt to teach him tooth brushing techniques. Even chewing on a toothbrush helps to clean the teeth.

Plaque is the sticky white layer that grows on the teeth. It is caused by a large number of bacteria growing naturally in your mouth. The bacteria thrive on sugars and they produce acid that causes tooth decay. The acid stays active for up to an hour after consumption of rood or drink. The only simple way to remove plaque from your child's teeth is by brushing.

Good eating habits It is the frequent snacking that causes the most harm to teeth. Each time your child eats the acid is produced on the teeth. If you give your child sweets, chocolate, fruit or juice, it is better to have these at the end of a meal rather than having them as snacks. If he wants to drink between meals then only give him water.

Babies should never suck on bottles of baby fruit juice for hours at a time, as natural sugars in the fruit can cause tooth decay. You should only serve juices at mealtimes as increased saliva produced then helps to combat the effects of sugars and acids. Offer drinks in a trainer cup as soon as your baby is able to handle them.

Dental visits Your child's first visit to the dentist should be between the ages of one and three although The American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recommends a visit to the dentist by one year of age. Usually all the primary teeth have erupted between two and three years of age. Most children below three have no or few dental problems and the first visit is primarily for an examination and to get him used to seeing the dentist.

At the clinic, the dentist will be able to advise you how best to care for your child's teeth. Parents should learn the correct tooth-brushing techniques so that they can teach the child correctly. Being role models for their children, parents should have a healthy set of teeth. It is advisable that they set good examples by visiting their dentist regularly so that their child will not view every dental visit with fear.

Diet Your child's diet should contain sufficient calcium and vitamin D, which will help protect and strengthen the permanent teeth already developing in his gums. Dairy products and fish, especially oily fish like herring and sardines, are good sources. Fresh fruit, raw vegetables, and cheese provide him with essential nutrients, and also help to clean teeth.