Babies are not born with teeth. As they grow, the first two teeth pop out from below and the rest follow, one at a time.
It is however important to start cleaning your baby’s teeth early so that they will develop a healthy set of baby teeth.
CARE FOR BABY’S GUMS
Before babies start having teeth, you can start by caring for their gums by gently wiping your baby’s gum at least twice daily with a moistened piece of gauze, cottonwood, or washcloth.
This can be done in the mornings, after feedings and/or before bedtime; doing this regularly will prevent the formation of plaque (which is formed from a combination of food, bacteria and saliva) from staying on the gums.
CARE FOR BABY’S TEETH
You can switch to soft toothbrushes when your baby starts growing their teeth on both rows and depending on advice from your child’s doctor.
In selecting a toothbrush for your child, select one with: a small head, a very soft brush and a large handle.
The amount of toothpaste used should be as little as a grain of rice; it can be increased to the size of a peanut as the child grows older. The use of fluoride containing toothpaste is advised, and brushing should be done twice daily.
Your child’s brush should be changed every 2 to 3 months or if damaged.
You should brush your child’s teeth until they are old enough to hold the brush, rinse their mouth and spit out without assistance, and brush their teeth properly.
Even as they reach age 6 and above, your supervision is still necessary to ensure they have a healthy teeth. Rinse your child’s mouth after meals
Inspect your child’s teeth frequently so that any injuries or infections can be immediately identified and addressed.
CAN MOUTHWASH BE USED FOR MY BABY?
From ages 0 to 5 years, mouthwashes should not be used because they do not have the ability to rinse and spit out.
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Ezike Nonye is a Pharmacist who completed her Bachelor degree from University of Lagos (B.Pharm). She is currently exploring digital marketing analytics as a novel field in Pharmacy practice while also interning at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. She is a graphic designer, a blogger and an entrepreneur. She is passionate about creating new things from nature and believes that there is no limitation to what you can achieve. She is a Christian and loves writing and open to new ideas and skills.
