Baby teeth, or primary teeth, usually begin to push through your baby’s gums after 6 months. When baby teeth start to emerge, your child moves into the stage of development commonly known as teething. During this time your baby will be irritable and restless because their gums are sensitive and occasionally painful. It is advised to take steps to ensure this period of development is as pain-free for your child as possible. Such steps include allowing him or her to suck on cold chewing rings. However, it is still vital to continue to clean their teeth and gums everyday. It may be uncomfortable for the child to have their gums and first teeth cleaned. But, this slight discomfort is a small price to pay for good oral development and dental health.
Why are Baby Teeth so Important?
The correct development of your baby’s teeth and their good dental health will assist in their ability to eat solid food when they are older; affect the appearance of their face as they grow, assist with their pronunciation of words and general speech abilities; as well as help determine whether or not your child will need braces when they are older. If a baby’s teeth are not taken care of from the beginning, there is a greater chance that the child will develop tooth decay. Tooth decay in young children is usually dealt with by extracting the infected tooth. With the extracted primary tooth no longer there to act as a guide for the permanent tooth, the child is more likely to have misaligned teeth.
Guide to Cleaning Your Baby’s Teeth between the Ages of 0 and 2
From day one, as a parent you should clean your baby’s gums with a moist, soft cloth twice a day after meal time. This technique of cleaning your baby’s mouth is suitable until a few baby teeth have emerged through the gums. To clean these teeth properly you will need to use a toothbrush with soft bristles, a small head and a large handle. A toothbrush with these specifications will be gentle on your baby’s new teeth as well as be easy for you to work with. In these early days, it is best to brush your baby’s teeth with a wet brush with no toothpaste. The ingredients in toothpaste, even in children’s toothpaste are too much for your child at this stage.
It is important to keep a routine when brushing your child’s teeth. Getting your child into a routine will allow them to get used to you brushing their teeth and will help them to learn how to brush their own teeth in the future.
For more advice, book an appointment for your child with 3rd South Dental today.