How to Initiate Good Dental Practices for Infants

That first tooth popping through his gums is a major milestone in your baby's life, but giving him a healthy dental future starts at birth. Even though he'll eventually lose those baby teeth, you need to care for his chompers to prevent dental caries -- a bacterial infection that causes tooth decay. By kindergarten, tooth decay is a problem for more than 40 percent of children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. With an early dental care routine, your baby can have a mouth full of healthy teeth.

Things You'll Need

  • Gauze pads
  • Soft washcloth
  • Soft toothbrush

Instructions

    • 1

      Wipe your baby's mouth and gums clean with a gauze pad or soft washcloth after each feeding. This habituates you to cleaning her teeth and removes all of the food remnants and plaque that can damage her soon-to-appear teeth, according to the American Dental Association.

    • 2

      Consult with your child's pediatrician to assess his risk for dental health problems. Risk factors include low socioeconomic status, parent dental problems and high consumption of sugar, reports the AAP. You should discuss oral health with your baby's physician even if he doesn't have any risk factors.

    • 3

      Brush your infant's teeth with a soft toothbrush two times daily. This reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth that can cause decay, according to the AAP. Consult with your baby's pediatrician if she is at risk of oral problems. Experts generally recommend not using toothpaste until age 2, but a dental professional may recommend toothpaste for an infant with a high risk for caries.

    • 4

      Floss your baby's teeth once he has two that are side by side. This helps remove any food particles between the teeth that you don't remove by brushing.

    • 5

      Feed your baby her bottles so you are able to clean her mouth afterward. Avoid leaving a bottle in her crib. The milk, formula or other liquids left in her mouth may increase the chance of decay.

    • 6

      Offer your baby his own silverware when he begins solid foods. Avoid sharing your silverware with your baby, as the bacteria from your mouth may transfer to his mouth. Wash his pacifiers with water instead of using your mouth to clean them off.

    • 7

      Feed your infant a nutritious, balanced diet. Limit the sugars she eats and drinks once she begins solids. The AAP recommends only offering fruit juice at meal time, limiting the amount to no more than one cup per day.

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