Should I
clean my baby's teeth?
Definitely. Even
before the first tooth appears, use a soft, clean cloth to wipe your baby's
gums and cheeks after feeding. As soon as the first tooth appears, begin
using a small, soft bristled tooth brush to clean the tooth after eating.
Don't cover the brush with toothpaste. Young children tend to swallow most
of the toothpaste, and swallowing too much fluoridated toothpaste can cause
permanent spots on their teeth called dental
fluorosis.
I find brushing my
child's teeth awkward. Any suggestions?
Try having your
child lie down. Put your child on your lap or on the floor, keeping his/her
head steady with your legs. If your child is standing, have his/her back to
you with their head tilted slightly and resting against your body. Have your
child hold a mirror while you brush and floss their teeth so your child can
see what is being done.
Is it important to
brush before bed?
Yes. If you have to
miss a brushing, the bedtime one is probably the worst one to miss. If you
don't get rid of the bacteria and sugar that cause cavities, they have all
night to do harm. While you are awake, saliva helps keep the mouth clean.
When you are asleep, there is less saliva produced to clean the mouth. For
this reason it is important to brush before
bedtime.
How to brush your
child's teeth:
Every day plaque
forms on the inner, outer, and chewing surface of teeth and the gums. Tooth
brushing is one of the most effective ways to remove the
plaque.
The best kind of
toothbrush to use is one with soft, round-tipped
bristles.
A child will need a
smaller brush than an adult.
Young children do
not have the manual dexterity to brush properly. Your child will need your
supervision and help brushing until he or she is 8-10 years old to ensure a
thorough brushing has been done.
When the bristles
become bent or frayed, a new brush is needed.
Start flossing your
child's teeth when the teeth touch each other and you can no longer brush in
between them.
