As a parent, ensuring your baby’s overall health is always a top priority.
While many focus on physical milestones like crawling or talking, it’s equally important to consider their oral health, even before their first tooth emerges. Good oral care from an early age sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Here’s how you can start protecting your little one’s dental health, from infancy to toddlerhood.
1. Start Oral Care Early: Before Teeth Appear
You might be surprised, but oral care should begin even before your baby’s first tooth emerges. After feeding, gently clean your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth. This helps remove food particles and prevent bacteria buildup, which can lead to future dental issues. Developing this routine early on also gets your baby used to the sensation of having their mouth cleaned.
Tip: Make it a fun and soothing experience by incorporating it into your baby’s bedtime routine.
2. Brushing Begins with the First Tooth
When that first tiny tooth appears (usually around six months), it’s time to introduce a toothbrush. Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for babies, and brush with water twice a day. No need for toothpaste just yet—simply focus on gently cleaning the tooth and gums.
As more teeth come in, you’ll want to establish a consistent brushing routine. At this stage, you can introduce a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste, which helps prevent cavities.
3. Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
It’s common for babies to drink milk or formula before bed, but letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle can cause serious harm to their teeth. The sugars in milk can linger on the teeth and gums overnight, leading to tooth decay—commonly known as “baby bottle tooth decay.”
To protect your baby’s teeth, wipe their gums or brush their teeth after feeding, especially before bedtime.
4. Soothe Teething Discomfort Safely
Teething can be uncomfortable for babies, but you can soothe their gums with safe teething toys. These toys help massage the gums and provide relief, while also keeping the mouth clean. You can also gently rub their gums with a clean finger.
5. Establish a Healthy Diet Early On
Your baby’s diet plays a huge role in their oral health. Avoid sugary drinks and snacks, especially once they start solid foods. Offer water between meals and snacks instead of juice. For toddlers, introducing fruits, vegetables, and dairy can help promote strong teeth and prevent cavities.
6. Introduce Fluoride Toothpaste
Once your child is around two years old, you can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is essential for preventing cavities and strengthening developing teeth. Teach your toddler to spit out the toothpaste after brushing but supervise them closely to ensure they don’t swallow too much.
7. Schedule That First Dental Visit
The American Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months after their first tooth appears. To learn more about what to expect during your child’s first dental visit, you can visit the Canadian Dental Association’s guide. This early visit helps identify any potential problems and introduces your child to the dentist in a positive, non-threatening way.
8. Make Oral Care Fun!
Turning oral care into a fun activity can help your child develop good habits early. Sing songs, use a timer, or let them choose their toothbrush with fun designs. This makes brushing a positive experience and something they look forward to. At PDG, we take pride in creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere, ensuring that every visit is a positive experience for your child.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your baby’s teeth from the start ensures they’ll grow up with strong, healthy smiles. By establishing good habits early on, you’re setting the foundation for lifelong oral health.
Don’t forget — your baby’s first teeth might be temporary, but taking care of them now will help create a path to a healthy adult smile! Make oral care a priority from infancy, and enjoy watching your child’s confidence grow along with their beautiful smile.
