Let’s care for those new baby teeth.
Which tooth comes first?!
As early as 4 months and sometime around 6 months of age, your baby will start to get their first tooth! Babies are already born with 20 primary teeth, but eruption date varies. They will all gradually come in at different times and usually by 3 years old, all 20 should be out in the mouth saying ‘hi’!
Keep those pearly whites clean.
Baby teeth are important and we have to make sure we can keep them clean until they fall out.
Toothbrush ideally 2x/day. Focus on quality brushing!
Get in there as best as you can to do quality toothbrushing, even if it’s for a couple of seconds.
Use fun songs like “Brush brush brush your teeth, brush them every day. Brush them up and brush them down so they don’t decay.” (To the melody of Row Row Row your Boat)
Create a routine of watching a toothbrushing video such as Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Daniel the Tiger, and more. Just look up your child’s favorite character with “toothbrushing video” to see if one has been created!
When they’re older, let them brush after you brush their teeth or vice versa. With the front teeth, it’s easier to use a piece of gauze or soft washcloth but can still use a baby toothbrush as well.
When their molars start coming in, best to use a toothbrush to reach farther back to get into the deep grooves on the chewing surface of the molars.
Recommendations…
Toothpaste
So many dental products…which ones to buy?! American Dental Association Seal of Approval Products – check out their website. All toothpaste products that have the ADA seal on it has fluoride in it.
https://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/ada-seal-products
These are my favorite recommendations if you would like to use fluoride, hydroxyapatite, or non fluoride toothpaste products. Whatever you choose to use, what’s most important is the physical removal of the daily plaque bacteria build up.