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Q:

How can I encourage healthy dental habits in my baby and when should I start brushing their teeth?

Hi everyone,

I am a new parent and I am trying to find ways to encourage healthy dental habits in my baby. My baby is only a few months old and I am not sure when I should start brushing their teeth. I want to make sure that my baby’s teeth are healthy and strong from the beginning, so any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

All Replies

ppowlowski

Hi there,

I also wanted to share my experience as a mom of two kids. I started brushing my kids' teeth as soon as their first tooth erupted, which is usually around six to eight months. My pediatrician recommended that I use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste in a pea-sized amount. Initially, my kids refused to let me brush their teeth, but I found out that making silly faces and singing songs while brushing helped a lot.

Another tip that worked well for us was using colorful toothbrushes with their favorite characters on them. I also let them choose their toothbrush themselves, which made them a lot more excited to brush their teeth. Apart from brushing, I also made sure that they were not consuming sugary snacks or drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay.

In addition, we started visiting a pediatric dentist when my kids turned one. Regular dental check-ups allowed us to identify any issues early on and gave me peace of mind knowing that their teeth were healthy.

Overall, it's essential to make brushing teeth a fun and enjoyable experience for your baby from the beginning. With patience and persistence, you'll be able to establish healthy dental habits that will benefit your baby's oral health in the long run.

stiedemann.tiara

Hello there,

I am a first-time mom and I completely understand your concern about developing healthy dental habits in your baby. It was confusing for me when I read that I should start brushing my baby's teeth when they don't even have teeth yet.

The trick that worked for me was gently massaging my baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth before any teeth erupted. This not only kept his mouth clean, but also helped in the teething process. Once his first teeth came in, I started brushing his teeth twice a day with a tiny amount of toothpaste recommended by our pediatrician.

However, just brushing his teeth wasn't enough to encourage good dental health. I also had to make sure he wasn't consuming too many sugary snacks or drinks, and was getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D through his diet. We also made visits to the dentist from the age of one, as suggested by our pediatrician, which helped us identify and address any dental issues early on.

One challenge I faced was making my baby sit still during tooth brushing. To make it more fun, I used toy toothbrushes that made him excited for brushing. I also let him watch cartoons while I brushed his teeth, which kept him distracted and engaged.

Remember that developing good dental habits in your baby is crucial for their oral health. With a little patience, persistence and creativity, you'll be able to make brushing teeth a positive and enjoyable experience for your baby.

bashirian.wilford

Hello,

As a father of three, I understand the importance of early dental care in babies. In my experience, the earlier you start, the easier it is to ingrain dental hygiene habits in your baby. It is essential to start taking care of their teeth and gums as soon as possible to prevent any dental problems.

What worked for us was introducing a toothbrush to our babies at around 6 months of age, so they could become familiar with it. We reinforced the idea of brushing their teeth by making it a fun activity we did together, like a game or a dance party. Additionally, we used a musical toothbrush with catchy songs to encourage brushing time.

It's also important to make sure that your baby's diet is not high in sugary foods and drinks which can cause cavities. In addition, we limited the amount of juice our babies drank and fed them a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.

One tip I'd like to add is that if you find it difficult to brush your baby's teeth well enough, you might want to consider using a fluoride-free dental wipe. These wipes are safe for use in babies and can help you clean your baby's teeth and gums even before the first teeth come in.

In summary, start dental care early, make brushing a fun activity, and ensure your baby has a balanced diet. With consistent efforts, good oral hygiene will become a reliable habit that will benefit your baby throughout their life.

upton.manuel

Hi there!

As a parent who has gone through this experience with their own child, I can share some tips and tricks that worked well for us. Firstly, it’s great that you are starting to think about healthy dental habits for your baby at such a young age. It’s important to start taking care of their teeth and gums from the beginning.

We started wiping our baby’s gums with a damp cloth after each feeding when he was just a few weeks old. This helps to keep their mouth clean and healthy, even before their first tooth comes in. Once his first tooth started to come in, we switched to using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste recommended by our pediatrician.

At first, our baby was not thrilled with the idea of brushing teeth, but we made it into a fun game and sang songs while we brushed. We also let him hold the toothbrush and “brush” his own teeth, which made him feel more involved in the process. This helped to make brushing teeth a positive experience for him.

Finally, it’s important to lead by example. If your baby sees you brushing your own teeth regularly, they will be more likely to see it as a normal, everyday activity. Good luck and happy brushing!

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