What To Do When Baby Gets Teeth! » Pregnancy, Childbirth And Motherhood.

So many people ask me when should they start brushing their childs teeth.

The answer is AS SOON AS THEY GET THEM!!

As soon as your child cuts their first tooth, it is importnant to start brushing them after every meal or breastfeed. To start with it is not necessary to use toothpaste. Use a small baby toothbrush and use a little water. Brush the teeth front and back a few times.

When the child is around 9-12 months old you can start using a small amount of toothpaste on the brush. Use an amount the size of a small pea. Ensure you brush all surfaces of the teeth and make sure the child does not swallow any toothpaste.

When the child is 3 years old you can change the toothpaste to an adult toothpaste. When you do this it is necessary to ensure the child does not swallow any toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste as a child can create Flourosis spots on the adult teeth (bright white spots). These are caused by too much flouride.

How you look after their baby teeth will have an affect on their adult teeth. If you care for their teeth and keep them cavity free, their adult teeth should come through with no problems. In some cases of children with many cavities from poor brushing, the decay has affected the adult teeth and has caused them to come through with cavities or infection.

Parents should be brushing their childs teeth for them until they are 6 years old, to ensure they are brushing all of the teeth.

Try and make brushing teeth fun and get a 2 minute egg timer and create some games or rewards for good brushing. We always find that creating a star chart will encourage children to brush better. If they brush their teeth without question or fights and they do a perfect job they get a star on the chart. When they have 10 stars they get a reward!

Brushing should be fun, but also serious for the parents. Teaching correct brushing can save you a lot of money in the long run, as your child will be cavity free and will not require expensive fillings.

Seeing a dentist every 6 months from the age of 2 is also important, it will also teach your child not to be scared of the dentist!

Have fun!!!

Jen xx

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