Are you expecting a new baby in 2022?
Here are some tips to help establish the good oral health of infants!
Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle
The oral health of infants is crucial, so don’t put them to bed by feeding a bottle and then transferring them to the crib once they fall asleep. It is not ideal because, just like us, children need to clean off the food/plaque to avoid cavities formation. Wipe your baby’s mouth with a washcloth after feeding by wrapping the washcloth around your finger and lightly swiping around the baby’s gums and teeth.
Even if your baby does not have teeth, still an important step. Try it with water if you need to use a bottle to get the baby to fall asleep. Additionally, you should avoid juice and other drinks and milk/formula in the bottle or sippy cups. Juice is loaded with sugar and is not a good source of nutrition for children.
Fluoride is your friend
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and when added to the water system, it is very beneficial for the oral health of infants. It prevents cavities formation in young children. Systemic fluoride is excellent when a baby’s teeth are in the growth stage so that the enamel becomes strong and it prevents cavities formation later on.
The best way to get fluoride is by drinking tap water, but if you live in an area without fluoridated water, ask your pediatrician about fluoride drops or tablets.
Cavities can be contagious
Dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease caused by bacteria colonizing the tooth surfaces. Don’t let others kiss your baby on the mouth, or you, if you have active cavities that need to be treated. If you use pacifiers or bottles, do not let your children share with others. It will ensure the good oral health of your child.
Avoid promoting bad habits
Pacifiers, bottle feeding, and habits such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking for an extended period have been linked to obstructive sleep apnea as an adult. These habits strain growing bones of the palate, causing it to develop high and narrow in shape.
These can be comforting to infants and young children, but if you let them continue these habits for too long, it can also cause misaligned teeth such as crossbite, open bite, and other malocclusions. If you need to bottle feed your baby, we suggest trying certain brands that mimic the mother’s breasts, such as Tomee Tippee.
Frequent dental visits
Bring your baby to the dentist when they get their first tooth or when they are one year old – this helps the child get used to being seen by the dentist and makes sure parents have all the information and tools to prevent decay very early in life. It is vital for the oral health of infants.