When you have a new baby, there are many things to worry about, like changing diapers, feeding them enough breastmilk or formula, and making sure they are growing properly. You probably never think about their oral health, right? Well, you should. Caring for their gums and teeth is very important. To help you do so, our pediatric dentist, Dr. Thayne Gardner, encourages you to do the following things:
-Clean the gums when they don’t have teeth yet. To do so, just wipe the gums after each feeding with a wet, clean washcloth. This can help wash away harmful bacteria from the mouth.
-Clean the teeth when they start growing into place. To do so, use a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush and non-fluoridated and safe-to-swallow toothpaste. If you would rather not use toothpaste, you can just use water. Because your baby’s teeth aren’t tightly knit together yet, you don’t need to worry about flossing until they get older.
-Bring them in for their first checkup at an early age. It’s best to bring them in around their first birthday or six months after their first tooth popped out of the gums. This appointment can help your baby familiarize themselves with the dental team and office and it can allow you to learn more about how to properly care for your baby’s teeth and gums.
To learn more about oral hygiene in South Jordan, Utah, please contact our dental team at Little People's Dental at your earliest convenience. We are here to help you in any way we can, so please don’t be afraid to call (801) 999-1426!