If you have a baby, you might not think too much about their dental hygiene. However, this would be a mistake-their little mouths are just as important if not more so than ours!
Babies require daily dental hygiene care in order to prevent mouth irritation and tooth decay. When you take the time to develop good brushing and flossing habits from an early age, it will make this often-monotonous task part of their daily routine, for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Dental hygiene should begin shortly after a child is born. After every feeding, a clean, warm washcloth should be used to gently cleanse the inside of the mouth.
Thrush, a treatable fungal infection caused by Candida (yeast), often appears in areas of the mouth that may have torn tissue, caused by the constant sucking on a pacifier, bottle, or during breastfeeding. The tiny tears remain moist and, if not removed manually, the yeast may cause the painful condition.
Signs of thrush include white patches that appear to coat the tongue, inside tissue of the cheek, and gums, irregular-shaped patches that are not able to be wiped away, sticking to the tissue, and pain when feeding or using a pacifier. If left untreated, a nursing mother may develop thrush on her breast, although is not typically considered contagious.
See your doctor or dentist and he may prescribe a medication to clear up the infection. Teething can begin around three months old, but typically begins when your child is six to seven months old.
Signs of teething may include excessive drooling, irritability, "gumming" or biting, the appearance of a rash around the mouth, or on the face, a decrease in appetite, excessive crying, loss of appetite, a feverish temperature, or changes in bowel movements. Help ease the pain of teething by using a clean, cool washcloth to gently massage the gums.
Offer the child a cool teething ring or a teething biscuit, if that is appropriate for the age of the child. Always supervise them when using a biscuit because of the potential choking hazard.
Talk to your doctor or dentist before using over-the-counter pain reducers or desensitizing gel. One in every two thousand babies is born with one or more teeth.
This is referred to as a natal tooth. Teeth that appear in the first month of life are referred to as neonatal teeth.
The first ones that will appear are usually the lower incisors, commonly known as the two front teeth. By the age of three, children should have their complete set of twenty "pearly whites."
When the first ones start to appear, buy a toothbrush designed for the age of your child. Usually this is indicated on the packaging.
Gently cleanse the entire tooth without toothpaste. Beginning at around eighteen months, you may choose to introduce a tooth cleansing paste that is safe to swallow and does not contain fluoride.
Many brands of children's toothpaste are available in your local retail store. When in doubt, ask the pharmacist to recommend a brand for you.
Different types of baby toothbrushes are on the market; choose one that is right for you and your child. Early Childhood Cavities (ECC), more commonly known as "baby bottle tooth decay," is a condition that affects children up to the age of three, or as long as they remain using a bottle.
Although rare, ECC may indicate the potential risk for severe decay when the child develops his adult teeth. ECC is caused by sugars and carbohydrates in the child's diet, beverages that contain sugar such as milk, infant formula, fruit juice, or any other liquid that contain or is sweetened with sugar, bacteria transferred from the caregiver to the child, the frequency of feedings, or allowing a child to fall asleep with bottle that contains any liquid other than pure water.
You can prevent early childhood decay by offering a pacifier rather than a bottle during naps and bedtime. Speak with your dentist for advice on how to expose your child to fluoride, if it is not available through your water supply.
Fluoride is recommended by the American Dental Association to strengthen teeth, which may prevent tooth decay. If using a bottle during periods of sleep, fill the bottle with only pure water.
Make sure to pay special attention to the needs of your young one. It is never too early to start.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health. He worked for a dentist in Beaufort South Carolina before becoming a guest dental lecturer for the past 15 years.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 