Caring for Baby’s Teeth

It’s never to early to start to protect your baby’s teeth – here are some helpful tips to start you and your little one off on the right foot.

1. Try to choose foods without added sugar and especially limit sugary snacks between meals.
2. The safest drinks for your baby’s teeth are milk and water.
3. Never allow your baby to sleep while feeding/drinking.
4. Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles to brush as soon as the first tooth appears.
5. Unless advised otherwise by your dentist you shouldn’t use toothpaste until your child is 2 years old.

As part of the natural learning process, little ones are expert mimics – and you can take advantage of this talent. Brush and floss daily while your child is watching, and he or she will intuit at an early age the importance of your good habits. As soon as your child shows interest, offer a toothbrush of his or her own and encourage your toddler to “brush” with you. (You’ll find toothbrushes with chunky, short handles that are easy to grip.) Most children don’t have the dexterity necessary to thoroughly clean their own teeth until they’re about six or seven, so you’ll have to finish the job.

The primary goal with all these tips is to instil healthy oral habits at an early age to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth!