Cleaning Baby Gums and Teeth
How to Clean Your Baby’s Gums <1>
Step 1 – Let your baby lie on their back in a comfy place.
Step 2 – Make sure you can see into your baby’s mouth.
Step 3 – Wipe those gums with a clean, damp washcloth wrapped around your finger.
Step 1 – Let your baby lie on their back in a comfy place.
Step 2 – Make sure you can see into your baby’s mouth.
Step 3 – Wipe those gums with a clean, damp washcloth wrapped around your finger.
How to Brush Your Baby’s Teeth <1>
Step 1 – Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth. Direct the bristles of the toothbrush to where the teeth and gums come together.
Step 2 – Clean every tooth using very gentle brushing circles. If you brush too hard, you can hurt the baby’s gums.
What kind of toothbrush should I use <1>?
Choose a small toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles. Do not use toothbrushes that are worn down or have bent bristles. They should be replaced every 3 or 4 months to ensure they do a good job and not hurt your baby’s gums.
Choose a small toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles. Do not use toothbrushes that are worn down or have bent bristles. They should be replaced every 3 or 4 months to ensure they do a good job and not hurt your baby’s gums.
When Should I Use Toothpaste <1,2>?
Children under 3 years of age do not require teeth brushing with fluoride toothpaste. These children can be brushed with a toothbrush moistened with water. Only children who have a high risk for dental cavities will require a small amount of fluoride (size of a rice grain) to protect their teeth <1>. This should be determined by your dentist. Children who are exposed to a lot of fluoride may develop fluorosis (white spots, staining and/or pitting can form on the tooth enamel) <3>. Children between 3 and 6 years of age can start to use a green pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean their teeth twice a day. Brushing before bed is very important. This will help to reduce bacteria growing in their mouth overnight. Make sure that they are spitting out the fluoride after brushing to reduce their chances of getting fluorosis. Always supervise your children when they are brushing their teeth <1,2>.
How to Floss Baby Teeth <1,2>?
Children under 3 years of age do not require teeth brushing with fluoride toothpaste. These children can be brushed with a toothbrush moistened with water. Only children who have a high risk for dental cavities will require a small amount of fluoride (size of a rice grain) to protect their teeth <1>. This should be determined by your dentist. Children who are exposed to a lot of fluoride may develop fluorosis (white spots, staining and/or pitting can form on the tooth enamel) <3>. Children between 3 and 6 years of age can start to use a green pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean their teeth twice a day. Brushing before bed is very important. This will help to reduce bacteria growing in their mouth overnight. Make sure that they are spitting out the fluoride after brushing to reduce their chances of getting fluorosis. Always supervise your children when they are brushing their teeth <1,2>.
How to Floss Baby Teeth <1,2>?
When your baby has developed two teeth that are touching, you should start flossing their teeth on a daily basis.
Step 1 – Take a piece of floss as long as your baby’s arm. Wrap it around your middle fingers. Leave about 2 inches between your hands. To floss between the teeth, use your index finger as a guide. Step 2 – Slide the floss between the teeth. Wrap the floss into a “C” shape and make sure that it is touching the base of the tooth (where the gum and tooth meet). Step 3 – Floss the tooth from bottom to top about 2 or more times until clean. |
References:
1. Canadian Dental Association. Dental Care for Children. http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/ Accessed June 26, 2013.
2. American Dental Association. Mouth Healthy Babies and Kids. http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/ Accessed June 26, 2013.
3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dental Fluorosis. http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/dental_fluorosis.htm Accessed June 26, 2013.
Images:
http://cdn3.disneybaby.com/images/2011/09/bathtime-disney-baby-photo-800x800-pr-pooh-toothbrush1.jpg
http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/cleaning.asp
1. Canadian Dental Association. Dental Care for Children. http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/ Accessed June 26, 2013.
2. American Dental Association. Mouth Healthy Babies and Kids. http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/ Accessed June 26, 2013.
3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dental Fluorosis. http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/dental_fluorosis.htm Accessed June 26, 2013.
Images:
http://cdn3.disneybaby.com/images/2011/09/bathtime-disney-baby-photo-800x800-pr-pooh-toothbrush1.jpg
http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/cleaning.asp