Parent’s Guide to Baby’s Oral Care
We want to help parents by giving them a guide to new-born’s Oral Care. The recently published State of Child Health report revealed that 31-41% of 5-year-old children across the UK are affected by tooth decay and this is the single most common reason why children aged five to nine are admitted to hospital.
Dental caries is a preventable infectious disease!!
- How to Clean Their Mouths?
Our team at Kordel House Dental Practice in Horncastle, advises that parents begin cleaning their baby’s mouth from day one. New moms can use a soft cloth or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger soaked in cool, clean water to clean their baby’s gums after nursing. Parents should clean their infant’s gums daily, and after each meal they have.
- Is Teething Painful?
Most children do suffer from teething pain. Teething can be distressing for some babies, but there are ways to make it easier for them. If your baby is in pain or has a mild raised temperature (less than 38C), you may want to give them a sugar-free painkilling medicine that’s specifically for babies.
There are Teething Gels which often contain mild local anaesthetic and antiseptic ingredients to prevent infection in any sore skin in your baby’s mouth. Alternatively, Teething Rings can also soothe your baby. Teething Ring gives your baby something to chew safely.
If you are not sure our team at Kordel House Dental Practice are more than happy to advise.
- How to Look after your Baby’s Teeth?
Usually, your child’s first tooth will emerge around the 4–6 months. From day one, it’s important that you keep your child’s tooth clean!
You can do this by using an infant toothbrush. When shopping for a toothbrush, look for one that has rounded bristles and a small head that can easily fit into their mouth. Find a toothbrush that has very soft bristles, without the hard rubber liners on the outside of the head.
Don’t worry if you don’t manage to brush much at first. The important thing is to get your baby used to brushing their teeth as part of their daily routine. You can help by setting a good example and letting them see you brushing your own teeth.
The easiest way to brush a baby’s teeth is to sit them on your knee, with their head resting against your chest. Use a tiny smear of toothpaste for babies. Brush the teeth in small circles, covering all the surfaces. Not all children like having their teeth brushed, so you may have to keep trying.
When shopping for a toothbrush, look for one that has rounded bristles and a small head that can easily fit into their mouth. Find a toothbrush that has very soft bristles, without the hard rubber liners on the outside of the head (called burs). You can begin flossing their teeth once they have two teeth touching. Use flat, wide floss and apply very gentle pressure to clean all sides of the tooth.
- How to Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay is one of the most common ailments that young children encounter. It usually occurs when infants drink milk or other sugary beverages in their bottle without cleaning their mouths afterwards. You can avoid baby bottle tooth decay by giving your child water after they’ve had milk, and by limiting or eliminating sugary beverages in their bottles.
If your child requires a bedtime bottle, then make sure that it is filled with only water so that you’re not exposing their teeth to sugar for long periods. By sending your baby to bed with bottle of milk, you expose their mouths to high amounts of sugar for an extended period of time.
- Should I give my Baby a Dummy?
It’s fine to give your baby a dummy but avoid using them after 12 months of age. Using dummies after this can encourage an open bite, which is when the teeth moves to make space for the dummy. They may also affect your child’s speech development
We at Kordel House Dental Practice, Horncastle, advise that parents take their infants to the dentist as soon as their first tooth emerges – which is around the 4-6 months of age.We love helping families and we’d be happy to see you! Call Kordel House Dental Practice at 01507211833 to schedule your baby’s first visit.