You may have seen the heading of this article and thought ‘Why do I need to worry about this? My child barely has teeth yet.’ However, you should start brushing your baby’s teeth from the moment the first one appears, usually at around five-to-seven months. Rarely, babies are born with teeth. Some babies start to have teeth as early as three months. The central incisors, those bottom two at the front, usually appear first. The subsequent order of teeth appearing is: top central incisors, top lateral incisors, bottom lateral incisors, first molars, canines (cuspids), and second molar.

How do I take care of my baby’s teeth?

Caring for baby teeth is important as you’re laying the foundation for your adult oral health, with the baby teeth posing as placeholders. Research shows that if you have a single cavity in your baby teeth, you are three times more likely to have one in your adult teeth. Cavities also spread a lot faster in baby teeth, potentially causing a lot of pain, infection, and missed school days later on.

Proper care helps ensure they stay healthy, aiding in the development and positioning of permanent teeth. Other benefits of brushing your baby’s teeth early include:

Speech Development: Healthy baby teeth help children learn to speak clearly and properly.

Chewing and Nutrition: Baby teeth are essential for chewing food properly, aiding in digestion and overall nutrition.

Self-Esteem and Social Development: Healthy teeth contribute to a child’s confidence and social interactions.

Preventing Dental Problems: Early dental care establishes good oral hygiene habits and prevents issues like decay, pain, and infections.

In sum, while baby teeth do eventually fall out, neglecting them can lead to serious dental problems that affect a child’s overall health and well-being.

As a parent, you should also try to ensure your child starts a good relationship with the dentist early, as even children as young as three or four can attend their first dental appointment with cavities, teeth touching, etc., and no idea how to floss their teeth correctly or how often to do this.

Wiping the gums

Teething is noticeable, even if your baby isn’t crying in pain you may notice irritability, a slight temperature, drooling, their hands clawing their mouths and ears (because the same nerves that run along the ears connect to the teeth), and fussines. Bacteria can enter their mouths from their hands and they may also simply put things in their mouths at this stage. Wiping the budding teeth and gums. Nothing should stay on them for too long, including breastmilk and formula, only water is OK. You don’t need to buy special water to clean your baby’s teeth and gums, plain still water that’s safe to drink is fine. For wiping, you can use a wet gauze, muslin cloth, or a silicone finger brush (which babies can grab, if you want to take the opportunity to let them work on their motor skills).

Soothing teething pain

You can soothe pain by gently rubbing the baby’s gums with a clean finger. Offer them a teething ring or a cold, wet washcloth to chew on. Provide a chilled (not frozen) teething toy.Use over-the-counter teething gels or medications, as advised by a paediatrician. Ensure the baby stays hydrated and comforted through extra cuddling and soothing.

Toothbrushing

Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste.

Gently brush their teeth and gums in small circles for two minutes twice a day.

Rinse the toothbrush after use and store it properly.

Start dental visits around their first birthday or as recommended.

How do I know I’m brushing my baby’s teeth correctly?

If you’re reaching all four corners of their mouth and brushing all surfaces, it’s going well.

Which is the best toothpaste and toothbrush for babies?

For babies, choose a small, soft-bristled toothbrush with a non-slip handle. Use fluoride-free toothpaste until age 2, opting for a mild, safe-to-swallow formula

When will my child be able to brush their teeth without my help?

Most children are not available to brush their teeth effectively and unsupervised until they’re about six. You can supervise their independent brushing from three years onwards. In addition, try not to let your child toddle around with the brush in their mouth, as this can damage their soft palate if they fall.

When and how do I start flossing my baby’s teeth?

Flossing should also begin early, as soon as the teeth start to fit together. This can be from two years old. begin when two teeth fit together to prevent gum disease and other oral hygiene problems, as when teeth touch each other bacteria plaque can build up between them. Teeth usually start to fit together around two years old. Some dentists recommend that flossing starts while there are still spaces between your child’s teeth, so they can get used to the feeling. Traditional waxed floss, handled flossers and water flossers are all safe options. We suggest you choose plant-based products where possible, as dental hygiene products create a lot of plastic waste. For your oral health, none is considered better than the others. When it comes to the method, try to remember that flossing a child’s teeth can be challenging and requires patience and a positive attitude. Start with easy to see areas, keeping your child as calm and comfortable as possible.

What if my baby’s gums are bleeding?

Redness of the gums is normal when a baby is teething, but if your baby's gums are bleeding and they are not injured, it’s time to visit the dentist.

What is the best way to brush my baby's teeth?

Unii explains why caring for baby teeth is important for your baby's confidence, development and overall health.