Baby teeth may be small, but they're important. They act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child will have trouble chewing and speaking clearly. That's why caring for baby teeth and keeping them decay-free is so important.
You should start cleaning your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts, usually around the age of 4 months. Use a piece of gauze moistened with water to wipe plaque from your baby's teeth and gums. You don't need to use toothpaste, but try to clean your baby's teeth twice a day.
Once your baby has several teeth, you might try using a small toothbrush with just two or three rows of very soft bristles. Ask your pediatrician whether to use toothpaste, and what type of toothpaste. If you live in an area where the water is fluoridated, he/she might advise against using toothpaste that contains fluoride. If your water isn't fluoridated, he/she might prescribe fluoride drops or tablets and recommend fluoridated toothpaste. Either way you should know that fluoride can be toxic to children if ingested in large quantities.
Keep toothpaste out of your child's reach, and use only a half-pea-sized drop when brushing. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it.
You should brush your baby's teeth until he or she is old enough to hold the brush. Continue to supervise the process until your child can rinse and spit without assistance. That usually happens at around age 6.
Keep on the lookout for any signs of decay -- brown or white spots or pits on the teeth. If you or your pediatrician notices any problems, take your child to a dentist for an exam.
Even if there isn't a problem, your child should go for his or her first dental visit by age 1. The dentist can give you advice about:
- baby tooth care
- teething
- fluoride
- thumb sucking
