Dr. Prithvi Subba

All that a Mom should know about oral health care to maintain her baby’s set of Pearly Whites:

Right time to begin brushing baby’s teeth – as soon as the 1st tooth erupts.

• After feeding use a damp gauze or cloth gently wipe the mouth of any residue left behind.
• Use either an over finger brush or a soft bristled brush for infants to clean the teeth.
• Initially use a wet toothbrush and slowly move to kid’s toothpaste.

Choosing a toothpaste for kids –

• Now a days fluoridated toothpaste for kids in very small quantity i.e rice grain sized is recommended.
• Watermelon / bubblegum/ strawberry flavours can increase the kid’s interest towards brushing.

Brushing technique –

• Teach your kids to brush using a small circular motion. Brush twice daily. Make it a game or sing a song to encourage brushing.
• Toothbrushes are now available with music or lights or cartoon figures to make brushing more fun.

Tips to maintaine good oral hygiene –

• Apart from brushing it is important to cleanse the mouth in between the meals.
• Do not put infants to sleep with milk formula or juice as sugary liquids cling to teeth and cause decay.
• Avoid pacifiers as they change the shape of the mouth and cause improperly placed teeth.
• After giving medicine or eating sweet like chocolates, ice-cream encourage kids to wash mouth with water and clean with a damp cloth for infants.
• Get fluoride treatment done every 6 months from dentist for prevention of caries.

Milk teeth are very important -

• For maintaining the oral health.
• Also to determine the shape of mouth and alignment of permanent teeth.