Toddlers can be difficult when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene – there always seems to be something better to do! But your child’s dental health is important and should be taken care of even before your baby cuts their first tooth. Here’s how:
Baby teeth
A child’s dental care can begin even before the arrival of your baby’s first tooth. This is because teeth actually form as early as the second trimester of pregnancy.
Running a damp cloth over baby’s gums daily can help to clear any harmful bacteria.
Brushing your baby’s teeth
Up until the age of two parents should brush their child’s teeth using an infant toothbrush with a small smear of toothpaste and water. At the age o, two your toddler can spit, use a pea size amount of toothpaste and supervise at all times to ensure they are brushing correctly.
Tooth decay
Even babies can develop tooth decay if good feeding habits aren’t practised. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle might be convenient, but can harm a baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they can eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth.
To prevent bottle mouth, have set times for your baby to feed and soothe them to sleep using a soother or comfort object like a blanket or cuddly toy infused with mum’s scent.
maternity & infant
Originally posted 2018-05-02 15:35:59.