8 Ways to Care for Baby Teeth
Baby teeth are extremely important for your child as they are essential for the transition to solid foods, the shape of your child’s face, and they hold the place of your child’s permanent teeth. Helping your child develop good oral habits at a young age will help them transition to good oral habits when they are older and taking care of those precious permanent teeth. Baby teeth care doesn’t have to be a horrible experience. Try these 8 ways to care for baby teeth to develop good habits early in your child’s life.
8 Ways to Care for Baby Teeth
Use a damp washcloth to clean your baby’s gums twice a day before the baby teeth ever come in. This will help develop good habits very early on.
Start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first baby tooth appears.
Assist your child with brushing their teeth until they are able to do it well by themselves. This may be up until age 7 or 8.
Use a children’s toothpaste that has a reduced amount of fluoride. Children will swallow toothpaste!
Teach your child to spit after brushing his or her baby teeth so they get in the habit.
Try to reduce the amount of sugary drinks your child drinks.
Use items such as stickers, small toys, crayons, and other small prizes to reward your child instead of sugary sweets and snacks.
Visit the dentist regularly so for preventative care and cleaning. This will help develop the habit of going regularly when your child is older.
You can begin to care for baby teeth before your child even begins teething. Good habits begin at a young age and the baby teeth are just as important as your child’s adult teeth! A few simple steps can help protect your child’s baby teeth and prevent serious oral issues later on!
