Many moms and dads find different information about how to brush their baby’s teeth . The questions range from when to start this habit to what type of products are best for each age. Below, you will see some tips to make this practice easier. Check it out!
Brushing has to start at the beginning, when the first little teeth appear. In doing so, we can thus avoid the phenomenon of so-called “baby bottle tooth decay”. But it is just as necessary to find out how this is done right and to exercise the practice early on. Let’s go!
First teeth: beginning of brushing
In the first six months of life, the first signs of teething begin to appear. At this stage, the baby will cry and experience constant irritation due to itchy gums. Redness in the area and even swelling of the cheek may be noticed.
For newborns, cleaning is often performed using gauze or a finger brush with warm water. When months pass by and the first baby teeth appear, brushing can now be introduced. This is the right time to learn how to brush a 6-month-old baby’s teeth.
In a few months, your baby will have several starting to emerge in their smile. Now is the perfect moment for learning how to brush your baby’s teeth easily and without complications.
At this stage, brushing should be done by an adult always supporting the baby’s head and using his/her hands to open up the baby’s mouth a little so that one can have a wider view of the oral cavity to avoid injury.
Is there a recommended toothpaste and toothbrush?
It is essential at the start of brushing to choose the appropriate products to prevent cavities and other issues related to your baby’s oral health. First, you will need a toothbrush. The fact that each stage requires a different kind of toothbrush makes you cautious.
Ideally, you find an age-appropriate toothbrush designed with soft bristles such that it does not even damage the gums or push out still-emerging teeth, as there are many variants; you will surely identify a suitable one for your little baby.
Besides knowing how to brush your baby’s teeth and with the ideal toothbrush, you will also need to look for the most appropriate toothpaste. The dentist recommends toothpaste containing fluoride, with an amount of around 1000 ppm of fluoride. This substance prevents the appearance of bacteria and cavities.
Taking care of your 1-year-old baby’s teeth
Once you have found the ideal toothbrush for your 1-year-old baby , some changes will be necessary. At this stage, it is already possible to introduce brushing more frequently. Introduce games and choose fun accessories to make the habit more appealing.
A baby of age one can even be given an understanding on how to brush his own teeth under your watch. Now that you know a bit more on brushing your baby’s teeth, have a look below for other information you’d need, including introducing solids.
Two years and older: encourage the habit with play
What mother or father hasn’t had trouble maintaining this practice after the second year of life? We usually start to encounter resistance at this stage, and the 2-year-old baby won’t let us brush their teeth . It’s the right time to combine this daily moment with play and fun.
The most important thing is that you expose your baby to brushing their teeth from an early age, including when they need to clean their teeth. Little by little, they will also learn that this is part of their routine and will incorporate the habit in a less dramatic way.
A fun way to start this habit is to let them brush your teeth and vice versa, to encourage play . Another tip is to include their favorite game or toy while brushing. You can even let your child play at “teaching” the dolls or toys how to brush baby teeth. Lots of fun, right?
How often is it recommended to brush your teeth?
Now that you know how old you can be to brush your baby’s teeth , it’s important to know how often you should brush your baby’s teeth to maintain the habit and avoid health problems. Since your baby needs constant help and monitoring, you need to be aware of this type of information.
The recommendation is the same as for adults: always brush your teeth after meals. However, with a busy and difficult routine, brushing your teeth at least twice a day is already a good idea and helps a lot in preventing cavities. Ideally, brush your teeth for the last time before putting your baby to bed.
Remember that the ideal amount of toothpaste should be small, no bigger than a bean or pea seed. It is also important to prevent the baby from swallowing it, as the flavor may be different and sweet!