There are few things more amazing than raising a child. Of course, though raising a child is perhaps the most beautiful and selfless thing one human can do for another, if you are a new parent, you’ve most likely learned very quickly that it’s not always easy. While you can’t make the right choices every single time, and as your child grows, he or she will become more and more independent, there are still many things you can control. For example, you can instill good oral hygiene habits in your child from the time he or she is very young. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced New Jersey dental team to learn more about taking care of your baby’s teeth.
Taking Care of Your Baby’s Teeth | What You Should Know
The first thing you should understand is that you will not start out brushing your baby’s teeth exactly how you brush your teeth. When your child is first born, you should make a habit of gently washing your child’s mouth with a moist gauze pad or washcloth. Once your baby’s teeth begin coming in, decay can start to occur. Additionally, when a baby’s teeth show the first sign of coming down, your child may experience soreness as they come in. You can soothe this soreness by gently rubbing your child’s gums with a small, cool spoon or a clean finger.
Once your child’s first baby tooth comes in, you should begin taking your child to the dentist. When a child is younger than the age of three and has begun growing his other baby teeth, it is time for his or her parent to start brushing their teeth with a grain-of-rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. After your child turns three, he or she should have a full set of baby teeth. From the age of 3 to 6, you should teach your child to use a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste twice a day, morning and night.
When your child is at this age, it is critical that you supervise his or her brushing, ensuring that they are using the proper technique, as there are many wrong ways one can brush their teeth. If you have any additional questions about taking care of your baby’s teeth or you are looking to set up an appointment with our team, simply give us a call today. We are here to help.
Contact The Dental Associates of Basking Ridge
Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!