How Great Dental Care Starts with Your Newborn
There’s little doubt that when your baby gets their first tooth, it’s a moment for celebration, and if possible, babies look even cuter at this stage. However, how much do you know about how baby teeth develop, especially how to care for them?
Babies Are Born with a Full Set of Teeth
Babies are born with a complete set of 20 milk or primary teeth hidden underneath their gums. They have ten teeth in their upper jaw and ten in their lower jaw. As your baby develops, the teeth gradually erupt through the gums in a specific sequence.
When Do Babies Get Their First Teeth?
Most babies get their first tooth between six months and ten months, but this can vary considerably. Some children start getting teeth as soon as three months, while others will not see their first tooth appear until age one. Some children are even born with one or two teeth. Most children will have a complete set of 20 baby teeth by age 3.
Caring for Your Baby’s Teeth
You don’t need to wait until your baby gets their first tooth to begin an oral care routine. Once your baby is about three months old, start gently wiping their gums after each feeding using a clean damp washcloth or gauze. Wiping their gums helps get rid of the residue left by formula or milk and allows your baby to become accustomed to the sensation of having their mouth cleaned so it can be easier to begin brushing their teeth when they emerge.
When your baby gets their first teeth, you can begin cleaning them using a soft baby toothbrush specially made for children under age two. We can advise you on when to start using toothpaste and the best type of toothpaste for your child. When you start using toothpaste, it’s important to use a tiny smear because your baby will not have the reflexes to spit out the excess.
When to Book Your Baby’s First Dental Visit?
Ideally, it’s best to come and see us soon after your baby gets their first tooth or by age one. We know this may seem very early, but it’s the ideal age for a young child to become accustomed to all the different sights, sounds and smells in a dental practice, and you can rest assured we treat young children very carefully as if they were our own. Your baby can remain sitting comfortably on your lap while we gently examine their mouth. It is just a very quick and straightforward checkup to ensure their teeth are developing as we expect.
Many parents find this first dental visit extremely useful, especially first-time mums and dads. This is because we can provide a wealth of useful information and advice on cleaning your baby’s teeth thoroughly. We can show you the proper techniques to ensure their teeth are cleaned correctly and have lots of tips and tricks to share that will make this task much easier for you both.
During this first visit, we can also discuss how frequently your child needs checkups, as by working with you, we can help prevent tooth decay and other dental problems, ensuring your baby grows up with a healthy, attractive smile.
