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A doubt present in the routine of many mothers is regarding the baby’s oral hygiene, from what age is it healthy to start? We know that due to the absence of teeth in the first months of life, the baby feeds primarily on milk, but it is still necessary to perform hygiene? Check the answer to some questions on the topic:
Hygiene before the presence of teeth
Pediatric dentists recommend cleaning the gums from the first months of life. The habit provides an oral stimulus, in addition to preventing stomatitis , a disease caused by excess milk accumulated in the baby’s mouth. The ideal is to perform the cleaning at least twice a week with the aid of gauze soaked in saline or filtered water. Babies who tend to regurgitate more often, deserve more attention and need oral hygiene from an early age.
IMPORTANT: Stomatitis is a virus that affects babies quite frequently, as they are still in the process of strengthening immunity. The symptoms of the disease are small wounds similar to the cold sore, cause pain and decrease the child’s appetite.
How to Brush Baby Teeth
Between 8 and 10 months the first teeth appear , in these cases, the most recommended is the use of soft fingers, both on the teeth, as well as on the mucosa to remove possible residues. The ideal is to perform the cleaning at least twice a day .
From 10 to 12 months the baby already has several teeth in his mouth, a sign that the mother can now clean more regularly. Hygiene is recommended at least three times a day, after the main meals , such as coffee, lunch and dinner.
The use of the toothbrush also comes into action, choose small models (children) with very soft bristles. The use of toothpaste , even if infantile, is not yet recommended , as at this stage there is a risk that the child will swallow the product. Use only filtered water and the help of the bristles to clean.
When Can Baby Use Infant Toothpaste?
According to the pediatric council, what should be evaluated at this point is not just the baby’s age, but the child’s ability to spit out the content and not swallow the toothpaste , as it has substances, such as fluoride, that can be harmful when ingested with regularity.
Fluoride is essential for cleaning and protecting the child’s teeth, but if the mother notices that the baby can ingest the contents, it is best to opt for fluoride-free children’s toothpaste . Ingestion of the substance frequently can cause fluorosis, possible stains on the tooth.
In the phase between 1 and 4 years of age, they still do not have full motor coordination to properly clean their teeth . It is important for the mother to supervise the cleaning, check if the baby is brushing properly and not swallowing the cream. In the period, it is indicated that tooth brushing is always done after meals and especially after the consumption of candies and sweets .
Mouthwash
There are several options for children ‘s rinses with low alcohol and fluoride levels, ideal for children’s dental hygiene. The product is important to complement cleaning, fight plaque and caries . The recommended age for the use of mouthwash among children is from 5 or 6 years old , when they are already aware of not swallowing the product and have greater coordination to use it without causing any type of risk.
Can Babies Floss?
The use of dental floss is indicated since the birth of the first teeth, but some care is needed, as the little ones can hurt the gums. If the mother wants to do a thorough hygiene, she can help the child in this task and teach her from an early age to floss.
Cleaning with dental floss is important, especially before bed, for the total removal of all residues. If you notice bad breath or yellow color in the child, keep an eye on the brushing time and whenever possible help, teaching the correct way to clean the entire area, especially the tongue.
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See Also: What Is Baby Bottle Caries?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
