· When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
It's a good idea to start cleaning
your baby's teeth twice a day as soon as you see a tooth emerging. If you start
early, your baby will get used to having his teeth cleaned, and hopefully
you'll avoid problems later on.
Your baby's first tooth will most
likely be a bottom front one, appearing when he's about six months old.
However, a few babies are born with a tooth through already. Others are still
toothless when they're one.
Your baby will eventually have 20
milk teeth, all of which should be through by the time he is about two and a
half years old.
It may seem a long way off now, but
it's best to carry on brushing your child's teeth for him until he's at least
seven. By that age, he should be able to do it properly for himself.
· Which toothbrush should I buy?
At first, you may find it easier to
clean your baby's teeth using a piece of clean gauze or muslin. Wrap it around
your finger, put a tiny smear of toothpaste on it, and rub around your baby's
teeth.
If you'd rather use a brush, pick one
with soft, round-ended bristles of differing lengths, and a small, angled head.
This will allow you to reach all parts of your baby's mouth easily and
comfortably. Look at the packaging to see what age range the brush is designed
for.
Replace your baby's toothbrush after
three months, or sooner if the bristles have started to spread out.
· What kind of toothpaste is best for my baby?
Fluoride, the active ingredient in
toothpaste, helps prevent tooth decay. Too much of it, though, can be harmful.
When choosing a toothpaste, check the packaging for fluoride levels:
Under-threes should use a
lower-fluoride toothpaste. This is one containing about 1000ppm (parts per
million) of fluoride.
Over-threes can use an ordinary
toothpaste, provided it contains no more than between 1350ppm and 1500ppm of
fluoride.
Use the recommended small amounts and
encourage spitting out as your baby grows. If you follow these guidelines,
lower fluoride and ordinary toothpastes are safe to use even in areas where
fluoride has been added to the water.
Swallowing large amounts of fluoride
can damage teeth, giving them a mottled effect, and may even cause vomiting and
diarrhoea. You may like to choose a toothpaste that doesn't have a tasty,
fruity flavour because of this, so your child knows that toothpastes aren't
food.
If you can't stop your baby
swallowing toothpaste, then switch to a brand that contains 550ppm of fluoride
or less.
· How should I clean my baby's teeth?
Try to get into the habit of brushing
your baby's teeth twice a day. Do it once in the morning, at a time that fits
in with your usual routine. Then clean your baby's teeth again before bed,
after he's had his last drink.
Apply a thin film of toothpaste to
the brush. It should cover less than three-quarters of the bristles.
Brush with small, gentle circular
movements, concentrating on the area where the teeth and gums meet. Remember
that during teething, your baby's gums will feel tender, so make sure you don't
brush too vigorously.
When you've finished, make sure your
baby spits out the toothpaste, but don't rinse his mouth with lots of water.
It's been found that rinsing after tooth-brushing makes toothpaste less
effective.
You may find that sitting your baby
on your lap, facing away from you, helps you reach his teeth more easily. This
position will work well when your baby is a toddler, too. See more ideas for
how to brush a squirming toddler's teeth.
If your baby resists having his teeth
brushed give him a toothbrush to hold as well. This way he is more likely to
feel in control. You can let him have a go himself and then clean up
afterwards.
If you can, let your baby watch you
brushing your teeth as often as possible. This will help him to get used to the
idea.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will
be happy to help if you need more guidance.
· When should I start taking my baby to the dentist?
It's a good idea to take your baby
along with you when you have an appointment more or less from the word go. That
way he will become familiar with the sights, sounds, smells and routine of your
dental surgery.
If you get anxious about going to the
dentist, make a separate appointment for your baby. Then he won't pick up on
your fears.
NHS dental treatment is free to
under-18s, and your baby can be registered with a dentist soon after he's born.
Some dentists will start dental checks on children from six months or when
their teeth start to come through.
· Should I give my baby fluoride supplements?
Some children may need to take extra
fluoride in the form of supplements, but these should only ever be used on the
advice of a dentist. Your dentist will prescribe the correct dose for your
baby's age, taking account of whether the local water is fluoridated.
If your child has too much fluoride
when his teeth are developing it can actually damage his teeth, giving the
enamel a mottled look.
If you live in an area where fluoride
has been added to the water supply then your child is less likely to need
supplements. However, it depends on the level of fluoride in the water.
If you are unsure whether your water
is fluoridated and to what level, ask your dentist or phone your local water
company.
· How else can I protect my baby's teeth?
The main cause of tooth decay is not
the amount of sugar in your baby's diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk
throughout the day.
Keep sugary foods to mealtimes only
and limit sugary foods to no more than four times per day. This includes dried
fruits, which are high in sugar and stick to teeth.
If you want to give your child a
snack between meals choose savoury options such as cheese or vegetables. Read
our ideas for tooth-friendly snacks for more information.
To really give your child the best
chance of healthy teeth, you should also:
· Only offer either breastmilk or formula
milk, or cooled, boiled water as drinks for your baby.
· Avoid squashes, fruit juices, flavoured
milk and fizzy drinks. These usually contain lots of sugar and cause tooth
decay.
· Give your baby drinks from a beaker
from around six months, and discourage him from drinking from a bottle after a year
old. Once your baby is more than a year old only give him water to drink at
night.
· Provide your baby with a healthy,
balanced diet. Encourage him to enjoy savoury foods, such as vegetables and
pasta, and don't add sugar to his food.
·
If you use prepared baby foods,
check that they are sugar-free or have no added sugars or sweeteners. Be aware
that other sugars, such as lactose, fructose and glucose, are just as harmful
to your baby's teeth as sucrose.
· If your baby needs to take medicine,
choose sugar-free versions.
Source: http://www.babycentre.co.uk
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