How Do I Clean My Baby's Teeth Effectively?

Every parent wants to make sure that their baby is healthy and happy, yet not everyone knows if they should actually brush their baby's teeth or not. After all, they fall out after a few years. Is there a point in brushing them? The answer is yes. Your next question is probably, "How do I clean my baby's teeth?" We'll tell you how and explain the importance of dental cleanings early in your baby's life.

How Do I Clean My Baby's Teeth?

When you want to properly clean your baby's teeth, the first aspect that you need to consider is the brush. Babies have extraordinarily sensitive gums. The wrong kind of brush can hurt them. To ensure that the brush lightly removes bacteria from their gums without damaging them, you should find a baby-safe toothbrush.

The bristles of these toothbrushes are typically softer than the kind used for kids and adults. They're gentle on the gums but effective in cleaning.

Toothpaste For Cleaning Baby Teeth

Another aspect to consider is what kind of toothpaste you're using. Kids, let alone babies, aren't fond of the clinical taste of regular toothpaste. To encourage them to enjoy brushing, you should use toothpaste with a sweet flavor. The baby will enjoy the taste and might even think of it as a treat.

Because of that, the toothpaste should also be safe to eat. Since babies can't spit on cue, they're going to end up swallowing most of their toothpaste. This is why it's also important to only use a small amount of toothpaste. Too much can make your baby gag and choke. You'll want to use the equivalent of a grain of rice in size.

The Process

You'll begin by squirting the toothpaste on the toothbrush. Gently place the brush inside your baby's mouth and brush it along their gums and emerging teeth.

They likely won't enjoy the experience since they won't understand what you're doing. You can coo and use a soft voice to soothe them. You may even have someone else playing with some of their toys to distract them.

Run the brush over and along the sides of their gums as well. If you can, you'll also want to brush under, over, and on top of their tongue. At this point, you can try to get them to spit out the toothpaste.

Seeing a Dentist

While you may brush your baby's teeth often, it's still important for them to visit our pediatric dentist. Not only can you make dentist visits normal, but it also ensures that your baby's teeth are safe from the start.

Pediatric dentists understand the structure and biological culture of a baby's mouth. They have the right kind of tools and equipment to safely and effectively clean their teeth for you. While you may do your best, you don't have the same kinds of tools and equipment that a professional does. They'll be able to clean up any missed places and ensure that your child's teeth are healthy and safe.

Why Clean?

Many parents make the mistake of thinking that their baby's first set of teeth doesn't matter. That's incorrect.

The teeth can decay and rot if not taken care of. When that happens, the entire gum can become infected. This can also infect the new teeth that are emerging. Eventually, this could lead to permanent tooth loss.

To keep your baby's mouth healthy, you should visit Lovett Dental; call one of our pediatric dentists at 832-804-7427 to schedule an appointment.