Checklist for Infant Oral Health

Proper oral care is a habit that can be started at birth. Parents should follow basic guidelines to ensure that their baby has clean gums and is comfortable with oral care when the teething process begins. As a child grows older, she will take on the same oral care habits that her parents taught her and encouraged in her as a baby and young toddler.

  1. How a Baby's Mouth Develops

    • Babies are born usually without teeth. Around four months of age, the infant's two bottom middle teeth may begin to cut the gums. After the bottom two come in, one on each side of those two are typically next. Then, the top two middle teeth come in, followed by the surrounding two. The first set of molars appear around one year and the second set around age two.

      A baby's teeth are at risk of chipping once the child is able to move around, especially once running begins. Likewise, dental health problems can occur from eating sugary foods, using a bottle or pacifier past age one and drinking liquids from a cup or bottle while sleeping.

    Tooth Cleaning in Babies

    • Oral care should begin with newborns in order to stimulate the gums and help them adjust to having their mouths handled. A tooth brush that slides over a parent's finger makes it easier to get the finger into the infant's mouth. As the baby begins to get teeth, parents should brush his teeth using a soft infant toothbrush.

      Around 18 months to 2 years, parents should encourage the child to brush his own teeth, while still making sure that he does a good job. No toothpaste is required until two years, at which point a safe toddler toothpaste is ideal. Between ages two and three, parents should begin to encourage flossing after brushing.

    Teething Signs

    • Teething plays a large role in an infant's oral health routine. When teething begins, a baby experience severe discomfort that can lead to fussiness, crying, biting, refusing to eat and poor sleeping habits. While these symptoms are troublesome, they do pass once the tooth erupts from the gums.

    Infant Teething Relief

    • Parents who wish to provide teething relief should look for oral care items designed for infants. Such products include teething tablets, infant acetaminophen, teething toys that can be frozen and homeopathic teething remedies. While numbing creams were once recommended for babies, they may have a risk of being swallowed and leading to choking if the infant's throat becomes numb. Parents can also freeze a wet wash cloth and allow their baby to chew on it when she seems to want to bite something.

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