The baby's teeth begin to be born, more or less, from 6 months of age, however, it is important to start taking care of the baby's mouth soon after birth to avoid baby bottle caries, which is more frequent when baby drinks milk at night and then goes to sleep without washing his mouth, or when parents sweeten the baby's pacifier for him to sleep.
In this way, until the birth of the baby's first teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue should be wiped with a damp cloth or gauze at least twice a day, but especially before putting the baby to sleep. An own dew can also be used, but it is only recommended from 3 months of age.
How to do after birth of the first teeth
1. Before the first year of age
After the baby's first teeth are born and up to 1 year old, it is advisable to brush your teeth with an age-appropriate toothbrush, which should be soft, with a small head and a large wrist.
2. After one year of age
From 1 year of age you should brush your baby's teeth with a toothbrush and own toothpaste for babies, which has less concentration of fluoride, since other toothpastes have more fluoride that can leave white spots on the teeth of the baby, in addition to risking swallowing that fluoride. Learn how to choose the best toothpaste.
To brush the baby's teeth, one should place the amount of toothpaste that would fit on the fingernail of the baby's little finger on the brush and brush all the front and back teeth, being careful not to hurt.
When the baby is able to hold the toothbrush by himself and brush his teeth, the parents should let him brush them, to get used to it, however, they should brush again at the end to make sure they are well cleaned.
The baby's toothbrush should be changed every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles are worn out as they can hurt the gums.
How to Clean Baby's Tongue
It is also very important to clean the baby's tongue and gums about twice a day from birth, as most bacteria from the food supply accumulate.
From birth to the first tooth, cleaning of the tongue and gums should be done with the aid of a gauze wet with water, with gentle movements, preferably in movements from the inside to the outside of the mouth
When the first tooth appears between 4 and 6 months of age, gauze may be used, moistened with water or a dew of its own, with a bit of age-appropriate toothpaste, also gently cleansing the gums and tongue, from the inside to the outside.
How often should you brush your teeth
The baby's teeth should be brushed, preferably after meals. However, since it is not always possible to brush your teeth after every meal, it is recommended to brush them at least twice a day, the last one being before bed.
Also, the child should go to the dentist at least once a year to check if the teeth are growing properly and if they are not developing cavities. Know when to take your baby to the dentist.
To avoid cavities and other diseases, see also how to sterilize baby bottles and pacifiers.
