Previous Story
The gift of a healthy smile for a lifetime
|
Posted on Feb 02 2006
Caring for a healthy smile starts way before a child is born. The mother can take care of her baby’s health and teeth by maintaining a nutritious diet that consists of fruits, vegetables and some protein (meat and beans). Pregnant women should also be taking prenatal vitamins which are rich in calcium and other nutrients that are needed in order for their baby’s healthy teeth. As soon as the child is born, there is a need to clean the baby’s mouth, even if he/she has no teeth. The first tooth comes in around 4-6months. It is best not to wait till the first tooth has come in, before cleansing their mouth.
A parent can clean inside the mouth when giving the baby a bath. There is no need to use a toothbrush, a washcloth can be used to wipe inside the mouth. This is important because there is a germ that grows in everyone’s mouth. Plaque lives inside the mouth and it continues to grow in an environment that is hot, moist and dark. All 3 conditions are found inside the mouth. By wiping inside the mouth before the teeth come in, you can get rid of the plaque and the baby will get used to having his/her mouth cleaned long before the teeth make an appearance.
As the baby gets older and teeth start coming in, he/she can start using a small toothbrush. What I suggest is that both the parent and the child brush together, make it a daily ritual, part of the routine. When you are done brushing, always follow up with a washcloth making sure to clean the teeth and inside of the mouth very well inside the mouth and all the teeth inside.
Make sure to clean the baby’s mouth after every feeding, whether the child is being formula fed or breast feed. It is important to keep the germs (plaque) at bay by cleaning inside the mouth everyday to avoid early cavities or more serious problems. (PR)
