Baby teeth is small but also very important. They act as placeholders for adult teeth. Not having a good set of teeth increases your child’s risk of having trouble chewing, speaking clearly, smiling or speaking clearly.

As a result, it is important to care for them and keep them free of decay. If you start early, your baby will get use to this routine.

CARING FOR YOUR BABY’S GUM 

You can start taking care of your baby’s gum right away. Initially this will not involve a toothbrush and gum. You can use these steps instead.

• Get a soft moistened washcloth or piece of gauze.
• Gently wipe down your baby’s gum at least twice a day.
• Wipe your baby’s gums after feeding and before bedtime.

This will wash off bacteria and prevent them from clinging to the gum. The bacteria can leave behind a sticky plaque that can affect infant teeth as they come in.

brushing your baby’s teeth

You can graduate to a toothbrush when your baby’s teeth first start to pop out. Your pediatrician will let you know when to start brushing your child’s teeth. Choose a toothbrush with a

• Small head 
• Large handle 
• Soft brush 

In the beginning, you can just wet the toothbrush by soaking it in warm water for a few minutes before brushing. This can soften the bristles even more.

As soon as tooth erupt, you can use toothpaste in the amount of a grain of rice. You can increase it to a pea size amount of fluoride when the child is 3 years old. Dentists recommend that you start fluoride toothpaste when your child can reliably spit out the toothpaste after brushing.  Look for toothpastes that carry the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This shows that the toothpaste has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

note

• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day. One in the morning and the other just before bedtime.
• Replace the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner when it shows signs of wear.
• You should brush your baby’s teeth until they are old enough to hold a brush.
• Floss once all the baby teeth have come in.
• Continue to supervise the process until the child can rinse and spit without assistance.