How to Brush my Baby's Teeth
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A few more tips for all the Yummy Mummies out there. And the Dads too, of course!
What should I use to brush my baby’s teeth?
While baby is still very young and only has one or two little baby teeth, a muslin type of cloth can be used to clean the teeth.
As they get older and a few more teeth start to appear, it is a good idea to buy them a nice toothbrush. I would advise the following when looking for a new toothbrush:
- A bright coloured toothbrush, themed if possible as this makes tooth brushing a fun activity.
- The toothbrush must have a small head so that it is easy to manoeuvre around baby’s mouth
- Make sure the toothbrush has soft bristles so it is not too harsh on baby’s gums when brushing
- A toothbrush with a chunky handle and easy to grip, makes it is easy on baby’s dexterity. If it easy to grip the toothbrush, he will be brushing his own teeth in no time!
- There are different toothbrushes for all age groups, so check the label on the toothbrush to make sure it is the correct age range
- Don’t forget to change the toothbrush after 3 months
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Are electrical toothbrushes any good for children?
I would only advise buying an electrical toothbrush for a slightly older child, older than 8 years old, who has already been brushing their teeth on their own for a little while. I still advise parents to supervise the brushing, just to be sure that the electrical toothbrush is being used effectively. While electrical toothbrushes are fun and bring enjoyment to tooth brushing, if used incorrectly, they can lead to gum irritation and possible future decay.
What is the best position for me to be in to brush my baby’s teeth?
I would advise kneeling in front of your baby. Place the toothbrush in their hand once they are old enough to grip the toothbrush. Then use your hand to guide the tooth brush over the teeth.
How do I brush my baby’s teeth?
I always advise using a systematic routine approach for tooth brushing, for both adults and children. Pick your routine for brushing the teeth and stick with the same routine every time you brush your baby's teeth. Brush in a small circular motions, doing 2 small circles per tooth. I advise starting on the top right, on the outside of the teeth, then working your way round to the left. Then brush from the top left to the top right along the inside of the teeth. Then the lower right to the lower left along the outside, followed by working from the lower left to the lower right along the inside. As baby gets older, actually tell him what you are doing, thus getting him used to the routine as you brush his teeth. This helps for when he has to brush his teeth on his own.
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How do I avoid decay in my baby’s teeth?
- Regular brushing, twice a day, to help remove plaque from the teeth
- Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste (check the concentration is suitable for your child)
- A good diet which is free of sugary foods
- Avoiding sugary drinks, especially in baby’s bottle.
- If you are in an area where there is no fluoride in the water, it may be an idea for baby to take fluoride supplements. This is something you would need to discuss with your dentist.
At the Covent Garden Dental Spa, children are seen for FREE if their parent is a Member of the Dental Spa. You would only need to pay for initial consultation of £34.50, and then after that, all the 6 monthly check-ups and kidi-polishes are free of charge. All children’s treatments are 50% discounted.
To read more about 'Talking Baby Teeth', please click on this link.