Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Baby teeth - Oral hygiene it important even in babies

Keeping the emerging teeth clean is important for long-term dental health. Why should we keep them clean when they are going to fall out? i hear many of you asking, The answer is that even though the first set of teeth will fall out, tooth decay can hasten this process and leave gaps before the permanent teeth are ready to come in, thus the remaining baby teeth may then crowd together to attempt to fill in the gaps, which may cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked and out of place, so it is worth it.

In actual fact daily dental care should begin even before your baby's first tooth emerges. You should wipe your baby's gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze, or brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water (no toothpaste!).

As soon as the first tooth appears, brush them with water. Toothpaste is OK once they get old enough to spit it out. An important tip for preventing tooth decay is to not let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in their mouths and cause tooth decay and plaque.
For more advice speak to your dentist or a medical professional.