Dentist: Start Good Dental Habits Early On for Your Baby

You do not have to bring your baby to the dentist until either the age of one or when the first tooth shows up, but that does not mean you have to completely ignore dental hygiene until then. In fact, there are ways to ensure that your child sees having healthy teeth as important, even when they are very young. Explore a few ways to create a sense of appreciation for dentistry from a young age. 

One of the first things to do is to get your baby used to having the gums and teeth taken care of early on. You can do this by washing your hands and then rubbing the baby's gums occasionally so that they are comfortable with having your finger in their mouth, which will come in handy when you eventually have to brush their teeth. If you want, you can buy a small fingertip gum cleanser that can keep the area clean. It is not necessary to use toothpaste until they start eating solid foods, but if you find an age appropriate paste that they can swallow, feel free to use it. You can start this routine in the morning and at night so they are used to having their mouth cleaned at these times. 

Once they get the first tooth and are regularly eating solid foods, it is a good idea to start brushing each tooth with a mini toothbrush made for their age group. Use a kid's toothpaste that tastes good and that they can swallow since babies do not understand to spit it out. Continue the routine of brushing in the morning and at night to prevent plaque buildup. Some babies even begin to look forward to this part of the day, as they might look forward to story time or their morning cartoons, especially if they like the toothpaste flavor. The routine often helps them feel grown-up, especially if they usually watch you brush each day. Babies also enjoy one-on-one attention, which they get during this time. 

Around the time they get the first tooth, they should be taken to the dentist for the first checkup. The practitioner will likely not need to do much since decay is uncommon this early, but he or she will likely educate you on what to do to keep up your child's dental health. To prevent discomfort and long-lasting problems for your kid, as well as the high expense of intensive dental care, you should take the practitioner's advice to heart and continue practicing good habits to protect your child's teeth. 

Children learn from their parents first, so if they always hear you complaining about your upcoming dentist visits, or they see you skip brushing your teeth, they will do the same. Prevent this kind of attitude by starting good habits early, even before they get the first tooth. Following these tips can help you avoid long-term problems for your kid, and can also save you money on the care that is eventually required for a smile that needs a lot of help.