As a parent, you want to make your child understand the importance of dental hygiene. However, you need not wait until your child is old enough to brush and floss. Ideally, you could begin a regime for baby dental care even before your baby cuts the first tooth. Dentists advise initiating baby dental care by gently cleaning the baby’s gums even before primary teeth start erupting.
Early baby dental care also helps to guard against baby bottle-tooth decay. This condition occurs in babies who are put to bed with a bottle in their mouth. The sugar in the milk (or juice) contains micro-organisms that attack your baby’s teeth. Baby bottle-tooth decay can be quite severe in some children.
Follow these techniques to start with a routine for preventive baby dental care:
- Select a time when your baby is in a co-operative mood. Active co-operation is important, as it will ensure good results.
- Wipe the gums with clean gauze wrapped around your finger; this is sufficient for the proper care of gums at this stage.
- Include flossing in the baby dental care routine as soon as your baby cuts two adjacent teeth.
- Ensure that your baby does not go to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or other sugar containing liquids.
- Early initiation will help your child develop the right attitude toward dental hygiene.
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Great article! Far too many parents wait for their child to complain about a sore tooth before seeking help. Parents need to know what their oral care responsibilities are and practice them. No excuses! For an excellent reference book see the teethforlife.co.za website