Caring for Baby Teeth
We know that dental hygiene is important, and this is true for you baby as well! You might have a lot of questions about how to take care of your baby’s teeth and how to ease the discomfort of the teething process. Please read on to find out some tips and information about caring for your baby during teething and how to take care of their teeth.
Teething: cold quickly!
The best ally in case of teething is the cold. There are many ways to apply a bit of cold to your baby’s mouth, including:
- Use a teething ring that you can put in the fridge prior to giving it to you baby
- You can wrap a compress around your finger and then run it under cold water. Then massage the inside of your baby's mouth with your finger.
- Give your baby a compote or yogurt with a metal spoon straight out of the fridge.
- Give him a piece of bread to chew on.
These methods provide relief in most cases. Keep in mind that the pains of teething are physiological and will not last. Do not hesitate to take the baby in your arms to reassure him when talking to him. Reassurance helps relieve.
Natural methods: a bad idea?
In order to relieve teething, some people try homeopathy or an amber necklace. Many of these methods are not recommended by pediatric dentists and doctors. Most specialists consider the amber necklace dangerous and fairly useless. It will do little to alleviate pain and there is a strong danger of chocking with this method. With homeopathy, many specialists also have some reservations. Please speak to your child’s doctor before administering any homeopathic remedies to your baby.
Brushing your baby’s teeth: the right methods
It is advisable to get into the habit of cleaning the baby's mouth even before the first tooth appears. In practice, it is important to prop the child up against you in a position that ensures their safety. You should brush their teeth after each meal, with an infant toothbrush or a simple compress. This brushing should be done with toothpaste containing fluoride. Studies show that there is a 40% reduction in the risk of cavities if you use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste is not toxic to children. It only becomes so if the child swallows a tube of toothpaste. It is therefore good to keep it out of the reach of children. From 6 months to 2 years, you only need to use a trace of toothpaste. From 2 years to 6 years, you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a blob the equivalent size of a pea.
Baby teeth: beware of cavities!
Around 20% of children in the US aged 2 to 6 have untreated cavities while the world average is 10%. It is therefore necessary to do the maximum at home to prevent their occurrence. Cavities are the association between poor nutrition and ineffective brushing. In infants, there is not yet the problem of "junk food", but sugar is still very present: in medicines, milk, breast milk, fruit. In order to prevent cavities for your children, you obviously have to take care of your own oral health. Indeed, according to studies, there is a link between the cavities of parents and those of children. Cariogenic bacteria can be transmitted, so the exchange of saliva should be avoided. For example, you should not drip the baby's food with the same spoon. Finally, if possible, your child's teeth should be checked regularly by a dentist.