Even though baby teeth are tiny, they are crucial. They serve as temporary replacements for adult teeth. Your child may have difficulty chewing, smiling, and speaking effectively if they do not have a good set of baby teeth. At birth, your child’s baby teeth are already inside their jaws. Teeth and gum care for kids should begin even before the first baby tooth emerges, according to dentists.

diagram of teeth and how they grow: teeth whitening and protective products for babies.

Contents hide

1 Why Healthy Baby Teeth Are Important

2 How to Care for Your Baby’s Teeth

2.1 Birth to 6 Months

2.2 Six months to 12 months

2.3 12 months to 18 months

2.4 18 months to 5 years

3 PRODUCTS YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR BABY/ TODDLER

Why Healthy Baby Teeth Are Important

Baby teeth help;

1. Form the shapes of the child’s face.

2. Make chewing and eating easier for the child.

3. Hold spaces open for the adult (permanent) teeth to come in.

4. Make it easier for your child to talk more clearly.

How to Care for Your Baby’s Teeth

Birth to 6 Months

From the beautiful moment your baby is born, you must take care of their teeth and dental (oral) health.

Healthy practices in infants and children can help prevent or minimize tooth decay (cavities). Some ways you can care for your baby’s gums are;

1. Always clean your baby’s gum immediately after feeding by cradling the baby in one arm and wrapping a moist cloth on the index finger of your free hand, and gently massage the baby’s gum.

2. Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle; prop it in their mouth or allow your baby to feed “at will.”

3. Teething usually begins between the ages of four and six months. Their gums could be red and swollen, and their saliva flow could be increased. Give your baby a teething ring or a cool, damp towel to help relieve these symptoms. You might wish to chill the teething ring because cold temperatures are.

4. Remember, dental decay is an infectious, transmissible disease. Avoid testing the bottle’s temperature with your mouth or sharing utensils (e.g., spoons), even cleaning a pacifier or a bottle nipple by putting it in your mouth.

Six months to 12 months

Your baby will get its first tooth between six and eight months. It is critical to begin caring for their teeth immediately away. Healthy practices in infants and children can help prevent or minimize tooth decay (cavities).

1. Always clean your baby’s gum after feeding. Once the tooth comes out, switch to soft bristles toothbrush with no toothpaste.

2. To massage your infant’s gum.

3. To relieve teething symptoms, give your baby a clean teething ring or cold, wet cloth; cold temperature is soothing so try freezing the teething ring.

4. Get familiar with your child’s ordinary gum and tooth appearance. Lift your child’s lips regularly to examine for suspicious little white or brown patches on their teeth. Schedule an appointment with your home dentist immediately if you notice these white or brown spots, which could signify dental decay (cavities).

5. Schedule your infant for their first dental appointment

12 months to 18 months

Your infant should have had their first dental visit for their oral examination by age one.

Continue to clean your child’s teeth with plain water twice a day.

Lift your child’s lips regularly to examine for suspicious little white or brown patches on their teeth. Schedule an appointment with your home dentist immediately if you notice these white or brown spots, which could signify dental decay (cavities).

Make a timely appointment for your child’s first dental exam if they haven’t already.

Continue to take precautions to prevent your youngster from contracting decay-causing microorganisms.

18 months to 5 years

All of the primary (first) teeth should have erupted when your child is 30 months old. Most toddlers should have ceased sucking their thumb and using a pacifier by three.

1. At age 2, begin brushing with a pea-sized amount (tiny smear) of fluoridated toothpaste. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste. Observe to ensure that your child does not swallow the toothpaste.

2. Start teaching your child to brush their teeth. In general, children will require assistance with brushing until they have developed sufficient hand coordination to clean their teeth successfully on their own. By the age of six or seven, most children brush without supervision.

3. Take your child to the dentist regularly for a checkup.

4. If your child is over the age of three and sucks a pacifier, fingers, or thumb regularly, consult your dentist.