To have good teeth, it is important to pay attention to oral hygiene from an early age. Parents play a crucial role in taking care of their baby's oral health. Here are some tips for oral hygiene care from birth to teething.
Tip 1: Avoid bottle-feeding to sleep. It is best to avoid giving your baby sweet drinks like fruit juice during infancy and not let them fall asleep with a bottle or pacifier in their mouth. Doing so can promote the growth of oral bacteria during sleep. Dipping a pacifier in honey or sugar can also increase the chances of harmful bacteria growing on the gums and teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Tip 2: Do not clean pacifiers or spoons with your mouth. Many parents have the habit of cleaning their baby's pacifiers or spoons with their mouth or tasting the food before feeding it to their baby. These practices can easily transfer adult oral bacteria to the baby. The best approach is to rinse pacifiers or spoons with water and use a separate spoon to check the temperature of the baby's food.
Tip 3: Clean the gums after feeding. From birth to around 4 months old, it is recommended to clean the baby's gums with a clean damp cloth or towel after feeding. This helps to remove any leftover food in the mouth and maintain the gum and future teeth health.
Tip 4: Start brushing teeth after teething. Once the baby starts teething, it is important to use a baby toothbrush with water or non-fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth. Many children have not fully mastered the brushing technique before the age of 6 and may not brush their teeth properly. During this period, parents should help their children brush their teeth, teaching them the proper technique and then doing it themselves to cultivate good oral hygiene habits.
Tip 5: Pay attention to the sugar content in baby food. After 6 months, when the baby starts eating solid food, it is important to pay attention to the natural sugar and added sugar content in baby food. Sugar can increase the acidity in the baby's mouth, making it a breeding ground for bacteria.
Tip 6: Start dental visits at 1 year old. Planning a dental visit for the baby after 12 months is recommended. Regular dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining good oral health in babies, and parents should carefully listen to the dentist's advice on oral care.
