In life, you get two sets of teeth. The first set is primary teeth, also called baby teeth. The second set is permanent teeth. While your permanent teeth last longer, baby teeth are still vital. If you have a young child, you need to learn how to care for these teeth properly. Proper care keeps these teeth stronger, which is vital for the health of your child's mouth. Here are some tips to help you know how to care for your child's baby teeth.
Wipe the Gums and Teeth with a Wet Cloth
Parents should begin caring for their baby's teeth before they even begin developing. The best way to handle this is by wiping the child's gums with a wet cloth. You can get in the habit of doing this once or twice a day or do it after each feeding. When you wipe the gums with a wet cloth, you remove some of the bacteria in the baby's mouth, leaving it cleaner.
Start Brushing the Teeth as Soon as They Emerge
As soon as your baby develops a tooth, you can start using a toothbrush to clean the teeth. It is essential to buy a baby toothbrush for this purpose, and you can brush with water alone. As the child gets older, you can begin using toothpaste. You should not use fluoride toothpaste until the baby is old enough to spit it out after brushing.
Avoid Giving Your Child Sugary Drinks
You can also care for your baby's teeth by selecting healthy beverages and foods only to give him or her. The primary thing you should avoid giving your baby is sugary drinks. Sugar is an enemy of teeth, and it harms baby teeth the same way it harms permanent teeth.
Start Dental Visits Around the Age of One or Two
It is also essential to begin taking your baby to the dentist around the age of one or two. If you can start these visits at an early age, your child will get used to going to the dentist. Early visits also help you learn more about caring for your child's teeth and may help you prevent issues with your child's teeth.
Following these tips can help your child develop strong, healthy baby teeth. If you can protect your child's baby teeth, their permanent teeth might also be healthier. To learn more, contact a general dentistry clinic today.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.