You may be under the assumption that dental care for your child begins when they get their first tooth. However, there is a lot you should be doing for your child before they even start teething. It is essential to maintain the health of your child’s gums while they are infants, so they don’t run into dental problems down the road. Read on in today’s blog from Dr. Scott to learn how to help keep your child’s gums healthy!
When Should You Start?
As soon as your child starts nursing, you should begin taking steps to help ensure gum health. Though very healthy, breast milk and formula have naturally occurring sugars. These sugars can cause bacteria to grow in the mouth and damage your baby’s teeth — even though they’re hidden beneath the gums! So make sure you clean your child’s gums regularly. It’s not a difficult task to care for an infant’s gums, but it’s different than the usual toothbrush and toothpaste routine.
How Do You Care For An Infant’s Gums?
Before you get started, you will need gauze and water. Until your child has grown their first tooth, you should not use toothpaste. Instead, take a small piece of gauze and wet it with clean water. Once you’ve done this, wrap the gauze around your finger and rub the gauze gently along the gums. This will remove sugars and bacteria and cleanse your child’s gums.
Dr. Scott’s Quick Tip: When the time comes to use toothpaste with your infant, make sure you are using a children’s toothpaste that is fluoride-free. Your young child may not be able to spit the toothpaste out until they are older, so choose an option that is safe in case they swallow a little.
Come See Dr. Scott!
One of the most important tips for keeping your baby’s smile bright is visiting your pediatric dentist! If you are looking for a pediatric dentist, consider setting up an appointment with Dr. Scott. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Scott’s number one priority is making sure that your child feels comfortable and confident each time they visit. If you’re looking for an experienced and trusted dentist for your child, contact Parkcrest Dental today to set up an appointment with Dr. Scott.
