Big Smiles for Little Teeth: Newborn Oral Care Tips from a Pediatric Dentist

Your baby’s smile is your favorite sight, which is why it’s so important to take good care of it. But parents of infants may not know everything there is to know about their children’s dental care. The good news is that there are some easy tips and tricks you can do to keep your little one’s smile big and in top shape. From starting their oral care early to taking them to a dentist, as a loved pediatric dentist in Dawsonville, we have gathered some of the best tips for your child’s oral care. Read on to learn more!

Start Newborn Oral Care Early

You may know that it’s important to start cleaning your child’s baby teeth as soon as they come in. But, one lesser-known fact about children’s dental care is that proper oral care should begin before those teeth even grow in. In fact, it should begin right from their birth. Every time you feed your infant; you should clean their gums. These keep bacteria from building up in their mouth that would otherwise cause tooth decay, mouth ulcers, and more. Simply wiping their gums with a moistened washcloth wrapped around your index finger can keep their gums and growing teeth healthy.

Brush Regularly When Teeth Appear

Another important tip every parent should follow for proper newborn oral care is to start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. To do this, you’ll want to take a soft, child’s toothbrush and gently brush the tooth. You should continue to keep their gums clean by wiping them with a moistened washcloth as their baby teeth grow in. 

Limit Sugar Intake

As your baby gets older and starts eating solid food, it’s important to limit the amount of sugar they’re eating to keep their teeth healthy. This is because too much sugar can lead to a number of tooth and gum problems such as cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Keeping the amount of sugar foods your child consumes to a minimum, regularly brushing their teeth, and regularly taking them to see a dentist helps keep the risk of these oral problems at bay.

Use Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in different foods such as oatmeal and potatoes as well as water. It is important for keeping teeth healthy as it strengthens teeth and reduces the risk of problems like cavities from developing by protecting the enamel on teeth. It is especially important that children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years have an appropriate fluoride intake, as their teeth as more vulnerable while developing. Make sure to contact your pediatric dentist on the best, age-appropriate ways for your child to make the most of the benefits of fluoride for their teeth.

Take Your Baby to a Pediatric Dentist

One of the biggest tips for proper children’s dental care that we have is to take your child to the dentist. While their teeth are just starting to grow, babies can still have dental problems just like older children and adults do, and it’s important to address any issues as soon as possible to prevent them from growing worse. Most dentists recommend that your child’s first visit take place no later than 6 months after their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday, whichever comes sooner.

It’s important to follow all of these tips and tricks to ensure that your newborn’s oral care is as good as it needs to be to keep their teeth healthy and bright. After all, your child’s dental health doesn’t just affect their smile, but their overall wellbeing, too. And don’t forget, the best tip we have is to take them to your local Cumming pediatric dentist by the time they’re a year old to ensure their teeth are coming in strong and their mouth looks healthy. All Stars Pediatric Dentistry is here to help you by providing everything you need to ensure your baby is getting the best children’s dental care possible. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment!