Taking care of your child’s teeth begins when they are infants. Instilling good oral health practices and taking them to regular checkups with a pediatric dentist can help prepare them to take care of their permanent adult teeth. Here’s what you need to know about adapting your child’s dental care as they get older.

Birth to 12 Months

You can begin taking care of your children’s oral care when they are less than 6 months old and before their first teeth being to poke through the surface of their gums. After each feeding, massage their gums with a wet washcloth to stimulate their gums. This also encourages their saliva glands to produce drool and can keep their mouths free of bad bacteria.

Between infancy and 12 months of age, you’ll want to provide them with chilled or cold teething rings as their baby teeth begin to come in and avoid sending them to bed with a bottle of formula or milk. Your child should also have their first visit with a pediatric dentist before their first birthday. 

12 Months to 5 Years of Age

Once baby teeth begin to come in, you can begin to brush them with a small, soft bristle toothbrush after each meal. Your pediatric dentist can provide you with one at your child’s biannual checkup.

During this time, you’ll also want to be aware of what healthy teeth and gums look like and begin to practice a daily routine of brushing at least twice a day. Between their first and fifth birthday, start weaning them off of a bottle and having them drink plenty of water, which can rinse away cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. This can help your child as their body prepares for adult teeth. 

The oral health care of your child helps with the development of healthy adult teeth. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Wisconsin, contact Dental Clinic of Onalaska. Dr. Mike Olsen has been practicing dentistry since 1993 and offers a wide variety of services, including crowns, veneers, and extractions. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment for you or your infant, call (608) 783-3341, or visit their website for more information on their dental services.