As parents, we want the best for our young ones, which require the most gentle and attentive cares. As they start growing, so do their teeth! So that sprouts several questions as the journey of our kid’s oral care begins.

So for this article, we will be answering common questions about our baby’s teeth with Los Algodones dentist. You can expect things such as how to take care of their gums, teeth, how to prevent cavities and how to relieve their teething tendencies.

When do babies start sprouting their teeth? 

All babies usually start showing their first teeth when they are 6 or 10 months, though it can also take a bit longer than that.

Taking care of a baby’s gums

Even before their first baby teeth, it is important to take some slight measures for the young ones.

After eating or having a meal, it is normal for bacteria to stick to the baby’s gums. This can prove a problem as they are able to sneak and affect the baby’s teeth even before they have come out.

In order to avoid this, it is recommended to wipe their gums with a soft and moistened washcloth. A piece of gauze can also work magnificently. As to how often it should be done, our dentists recommend us that at least twice a day is okay. This is especially true after a meal.

When should I brush your baby’s teeth?

As soon as you see your baby’s teeth, then they are good to brush and even floss! As we mentioned before, it might be as early as when they are 6 month old, or even take up to a year in order for their first teeth to appear.

It is also fine if you do not brush their only teeth and wait until they have more of them out. Just be careful that tooth decay is not forming in their baby teeth.

Best toothbrush and toothpaste for them

For brushing, you need to pick a good brush for the job. It is best to choose one that is small enough to easily manipulate, very soft as to not harm the mouth with any harsh movement, and with a handle big enough to help controlling it.

As for toothpaste, if the baby is below 2 years old (24 months), then it is best to skip conventional toothpastes. The fluoride in it can do more harmful than good when their teeth are still sprouting. Instead it is recommended to use sea salt or any other alternative.

How to minimize cavities

There are many ways to help your baby’s teeth to be less susceptible to tooth decay. And as it happens with adults, this is done by avoiding sugary drinks in general when they are very young.

Drinks such as soda and fruit juice (artificial and natural) have their amount of sugar in them. This also includes milk. Whereas water, breast milk and formula are usually safe and keep your baby out of cavities’ way.

One thing you should consider is to not leave your baby to nap or sleep with a cup filled with a sugary drink. This will only give the bacteria their fair share of sugar to produce acids, but also a lot of time to wear down their new teeth. It is recommended to only fill the bottle with water in these cases.

How to prevent teething

Teething is the process where the teeth are sprouting. This can be very uncomfortable for the baby so it is normal for them to cry, bite, drool among other things.

For these cases, there are several items that Los Algodones dentists recommend to help:

• Teething rings. These are relatively large rings to avoid babies swallowing them. Giving your baby a cool teething ring, or even a cold washcloth can help relieve the teething. Avoid getting a teething ring that has liquid inside, as it can break off at any point and be toxic for the young one.
• Pain relievers. Before indulging in this, it is best to ask your pediatrician for the best one to this situation. There are some medications, such as those with benzocaine that should not be used for teething at all. Instead, tylenol can be used at times to relieve this pain. Again, we strongly suggest that it is best to consult a pediatrician about this for safety.
• Rub the baby’s gum. This can be done with a clean and cold washcloth or with a clean finger.