Brushing baby gums.
Cleaning your baby’s gums and first set of teeth is important to their future dental health. Many babies develop the entire set of milk teeth before the age of two therefore, it is crucial that you establish a good oral hygiene routine with your little one as soon as possible.
You can expect the first set of teeth to poke out when your baby is between 6 to 10 months old. A great way to celebrate this milestone will be to get a baby toothbrush. You can then start to clean the tooth right from the get-go because it is susceptible to tooth decay.
Cleaning Baby’s Gums Before Teeth Come
Dental care for baby teeth should start before your baby’s first teeth appears. Cleaning their gums from an early age is important to their future dental health. In fact, the earlier you begin to clean those gums, the simpler it will be to develop a routine with your baby, which later on makes transitioning to the use of a toothbrush smoother.
Mouth bacteria don’t cause harm to baby gums before milk teeth emerge. Babies teethe differently and it might be difficult to identify when the first set of teeth is beginning to push through the gums especially if you are a first-time mom. Furthermore, rubbing your baby’s gums with a soft and wet cloth helps reduce the discomfort in their gums as they are starting to teeth. In addition, the more comfortable a baby is with your finger inside their mouth, the more relaxed she will be when it comes to introducing her to the use of a toothbrush.
Caring for Baby’s Gums
You can start caring for the baby’s gums as soon as she arrives. Here are the steps you need to take.
- Get a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze.
- Gently wipe down your baby’s gums twice a day at regular intervals.
- Makes sure that you wipe your baby’s gums after feeding her and before bedtime.
So, how do you brush baby gums before the first set of teeth comes in?
Before your baby starts to teeth, wipe clean her gums with a soft and wet piece of cloth. You can do this at any time of the day, however, try and do it at around the same time each day so that your baby recognizes it as a daily activity routine.
A baby gum brush cleans your baby’s gums before the first set of teeth appears. Many gum brushes are small in size and they can fit on your finger like a thimble. You will also find some models in a wipe form that you can wrap around your finger. Gum brushes will work best in gummy mouths with fewer teeth. Since the wiping action will handle all the cleaning, you don’t need to use any toothpaste with these brushes.
A teether toothbrush is another type of brush you can use to clean your baby’s gums. This is a nubby teether that not only cleans the baby’s mouth but also helps to relieve gum pain. You don’t require any toothpaste for this either, because the baby’s chewing scrapes and cleans the teeth on its own.
How to promote your baby’s oral hygiene once the first set of teeth starts to emerge.
As soon as your baby’s first set of teeth starts to sprout, it will be the ideal time to get a baby toothbrush. Baby toothbrushes have small heads and grips that snugly fit in the baby’s small hand.
At this point, it is recommended that you clean your baby’s gums and teeth and gums twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, especially if you have started to introduce the baby to solid food. Try to clean her teeth and gums at around the same time each day so that your baby recognizes it as a daily activity routine. Make sure that you gently clean the teeth on the inside and outside as well. If your baby allows you to, softly run the bristles over your baby’s gums and tongue as well.
Check with your dentist and find out which baby toothpaste you should use. The dentist will either recommend the use of baby toothpaste with fluoride or simply use steam distilled water that’s available with or without fluoride. While fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and cavity, too much consumption can be harmful to your baby’s health therefore, ask your dentist how much you should use.
Here are some of the important features to consider when shopping for a baby’s toothbrush.
- Choose a toothbrush with a small head that fits snugly in your baby’s mouth. Also, remember how little your toddler’s hands are and choose a toothbrush with a thinner handle that will fit comfortably in their hands.
- Ensure that the toothbrush that you choose has soft bristles that won’t cause harm to your baby’s smooth and sensitive gums.
- The material used to make that tooth should be safe and preferably be BPA and phthalate-free.
- If you are going to use toothpaste, use a small portion such as a rice-sized grain smear of fluoride toothpaste that contains no colors or any artificial flavors.
- Make sure that you pick out a toothbrush that’s suitable for your child’s current age. You don’t want an overly large toothbrush that’s uncomfortable for your child to handle or use.
- Makes sure that you brush your baby’s teeth twice a day.
- Change the toothbrush after every three months or sooner if the bristles are worn out. Replacing old toothbrushes prevents the buildup of mouth bacteria.
Brushing Baby Gums Advantages
- Brushing your baby’s gums and first set of teeth helps loosen bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Keeping your baby’s gums and milk teeth clean removes the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Cavities can develop on baby teeth, therefore it is extremely important that you brush well and regularly.
- Cleaning a baby’s gums promotes oral health long before the baby’s first set of teeth sprouts.
Conclusion
The best way to prevent dental problems is by getting your baby’s gums checked and cleaned as early as when the first set of teeth emerges. By establishing a good oral health routine with your baby as early as possible, you get to help her develop long-lasting dental health habits.