What should you do to care for your baby’s teeth when they come in? Follow these recommendations from our pediatric dentists and dental team to help care for your baby in Falls Church, Virginia.
Gently Care for Your Baby’s Gums
Before your child’s first tooth erupts, make sure to apply a clean, damp washcloth directly over their gums to keep away bacteria. Dr. Roselyne Gichana, Dr. Shazia Sheikh or Dr. Breanna Donald may even suggest doing this after breast- or bottle-feeding as a daily routine to check in on your baby’s gum tissue.
Clean Your Baby’s First Tooth
When your baby’s first tooth has arrived, you should be brushing your child’s teeth with a baby toothbrush. There is no need to use toothpaste at this time; water is just fine. Once more teeth come in, then you can use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean your little one’s teeth and help them develop the habit of taking care of their smile.
Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
To help your baby avoid the risk of cavities, our pediatric dentists may strongly recommend your child stay away from sugary drinks like juice and soda. You may also want to avoid giving them a bottle when you put them to bed to reduce the amount of contact between their intakes of milk’s sugary contents.
Schedule Your Baby’s First Dental Visit
Our pediatric dentists and team recommend bringing in your baby for their first visit to the dentist within six months after their first tooth erupts. This allows Dr. Roselyne Gichana, Dr. Shazia Sheikh and Dr. Breanna Donald to be able to detect any problems early on and provide suggestions on how to care for your baby’s teeth at home.
If you have any questions about these guidelines or would like to schedule a visit with us here at Falls Church Pediatric Dental Center, please give us a call at 703-533-5511.