Ask a Pediatric Dentist: How Do I Clean My Baby’s Teeth?

Our pediatric dentist says good oral hygiene for babies starts even before their first tooth erupts. Tooth decay is the most common dental issue that affects children, and acids created by oral bacteria cause it.

A child’s first tooth should erupt by the time they are six months old, and it is typically an upper incisor. Keeping baby teeth decay-free until they are ready to fall out is critical to ensure the child’s long-term oral health. Baby teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth, so them falling out prematurely can lead to a child developing bite issues as they grow older.

Other essential functions of baby teeth include:

• Baby teeth play an important role as the shape of your child’s facial structures develop
• Baby teeth help with speech development
• Baby teeth are used to grind down and chew food

Failing to take proper care of a child’s baby tooth typically leads to tooth decay, which brings various issues like toothaches and infections. A decaying baby tooth can also cause damage to the permanent tooth underneath it.

Our pediatric dentist explains how to take care of your child’s teeth

Parents should start cleaning their child’s mouth even before their first set of teeth begin to emerge. A child’s baby teeth are already developed in their jaw at birth; it just takes some time before they erupt. Cleaning a child’s gums while they have no visible teeth protects the teeth underneath their gums from decay.

Here are some simple things our pediatric dentist advises parents to do to keep their child’s teeth and gums clean:

• Clean the child’s mouth at least once a day with a soft cloth or gauze pad. A simple way to do that is by sitting on a chair or sofa with the baby’s head resting on your lap. You should have easy access to the child’s mouth from this position
• Place a clean piece of soft cloth over one of your fingers and dip it in water to dampen it. Use the cloth to wipe the child’s teeth and gums gently
• Parents can clean the child’s mouth with a tiny, soft toothbrush once their teeth start coming in. The child’s teeth and gums should be cleaned during each brushing session
• A small pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used while brushing to help protect against tooth decay. Parents should also talk to the child about the importance of oral hygiene during these brushing sessions. The child should be able to brush their teeth unsupervised by the time they reach 11

Other ways to prevent tooth decay

Brushing goes a long way when it comes to preventing tooth decay, but there are other things parents can do to protect their child’s teeth. These include:

• Limit the child’s consumption of sugary foods and beverages
• Get preventative treatments like dental sealants from a dentist
• Avoid feeding the child right before bedtime or naps