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A baby’s first tooth usually appears when the child is between four and six months old. Good dental hygiene habits for your little one should begin before that time. Following these tips below will help your baby experience happy checkups at the dentist as they move toward losing their first baby tooth.

3 Dental Hygiene Tips to Help Your Baby

1. Keep Pacifiers Clean

Germs and bacteria cause tooth decay and mouth infections, so don’t put the pacifier in your own mouth to clean it off and then give it back to the baby. Instead, use hot soapy water and rinse it well after each use.

Before using it for the first time, sterilize your baby’s pacifier in clean boiling water for five minutes and let it cool before giving it to your little one. Replace their binky every two months or sooner if it cracks.

Do not coat it with honey or sugar as a pain reliever or calming method. Sugars encourage cavity-causing bacteria to form in the mouth, and honey can cause food poisoning. To prevent dental problems, including overbite, plan to have your child give up their pacifier by four years old.

2. Give Your Baby Water, Formula, or Milk

dental hygieneUse baby bottles for plain water, breast milk, formula, and starting between 9 and 12 months old, cow’s milk. Don’t let your baby fall asleep in bed with a milk bottle, because even those fluids can cause cavities. Baby teeth hold the spaces for adult teeth, and if they fall out too soon, it can lead to overcrowding and other problems with the permanent teeth. 

3. Clean Your Baby’s Gums & Teeth

To promote good oral health in your baby before a tooth appears, moisten a clean gauze pad or washcloth with water and use your finger to wipe their gums and mouth after every meal. This activity helps your baby get used to the feel of brushing when the teeth come in. In addition, it will help you feel when a tooth is about to erupt.

When teeth start to erupt, instill good dental hygiene habits in your baby by brushing their teeth twice a day with a kid-size toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a rice grain. Rinse your child’s mouth well, and don’t let them swallow the paste.

 

When searching for a dentist who provides top-quality care for baby teeth and gums, turn to Kimberling City Dental Center in Stone County, MO. Serving the Tri-Lakes area for more than 32 years, these dental professionals offer expert care with a focus on customer satisfaction. From routine exams to dentures, patients receive attentive and compassionate treatment in a welcoming atmosphere. For more about their range of services, visit them online or call (417) 739-4965 to schedule an appointment.

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