Did you know that baby teeth develop during pregnancy?
This means that the responsibility of every mother-to-be begins while the child is still in her womb.
Here are some valuable recommendations for pregnant women that will help their children have healthy teeth:
- Varied nutrition, without intake of carbonated drinks and sweet foods;
- Consuming only filtered tap water - it is very important that pregnant women do NOT consume mineral or table water as this increases the risk of baby tooth fluorosis. Fluorosis causes dark brown spots on the teeth and increases the risk of tooth decay;
- Increased attention when taking medications and nutritional supplements - pregnant women must necessarily consult a doctor if such intake is necessary. Many types of drugs have a negative effect on the correct construction of the structure of milk teeth, therefore, in addition to consulting a general practitioner or gynecologist, it is good to consult a dentist as well.
- Stop using alcohol and cigarettes.
After the birth
After birth, the care of baby teeth begins even before they have sprouted. It is not recommended to sweeten the teat with honey. Once the baby starts feeding on purees, the care for oral hygiene becomes even greater. The mother should rinse the child's mouth with water, after each feeding with puree and rub the gums with gauze.
How to properly clean a child's mouth
Before and after the baby teeth erupt, the child's mouth should be cleaned after every meal or at least twice a day.
- The child should be placed in a comfortable position. The parent should be able to see well inside the child's mouth.
- Before teething, a clean gauze or soft cloth is used and the parent places it on their finger. The gauze is slightly dipped in water so that it is moist, but not wet. After that, the child's gums are rubbed with careful movements.
- As the child's teeth begin to erupt, a small toothbrush can be used. The brush head is placed at an angle to the row of teeth and against the gum line. Brush carefully with light circular movements. Brushing back and forth can damage the gums and teeth. It is brushed on both sides of the teeth - inside and outside (from pink to white - from crown to tooth).
- Finally, the child's tongue should also be brushed with the brush.
- After the first tooth erupts, a fluoride paste can be used. For children under 3 years of age, the amount of paste should be the size of a grain of rice. For children over 3 years of age, a pea-sized amount can be used. These amounts of toothpaste are safe if a child swallows the toothpaste.
- Parents should start teaching their children how to brush their teeth from the age of 2. By the age of 10, every child should only brush their teeth. A good trick to learn is when the parent brushes their teeth in front of the child.
The child should have a diet and avoid unpredictable meals and drinks containing sugar. Every time a child eats or drinks something, within 20 minutes, the sugar in it turns into acid.
Baby teeth - How to protect them from cavities:
- The bottle is used only during feeding. Do not use it as a pacifier.
- Do not leave the baby in bed with a feeding bottle.
- If the baby falls asleep while nursing, remove the breast from his mouth.
- After the first tooth erupts, avoid feeding at night.
- Wean the baby from the feeding bottle until the baby is 1 year old.
- After reaching 1 year, the child can drink water at any time of the day. However, do not give him anything to drink except during meals.
The first preventive examination of the small child should be done after he turns 2 years old. Before that, if necessary, a consultation with the parents is done in the form of a conversation in a setting other than a medical one, without the presence of the baby.
Injuries to the teeth, mouth and mucous membrane
Many parents panic unnecessarily when their baby falls and hits the mouth area. You should know that such injuries are often accompanied by profuse bleeding, since the mouth and mucous membrane of small children is very heavily supplied with blood.
It is very important for the parent to remain calm, stop the bleeding and calm the child. Only after the bleeding has stopped should the baby's mouth be inspected for possible injuries. Babies rarely injure their teeth when they fall, but even if part of the tooth is chipped or broken off, there is no need to visit a dental office. Even if there is a broken tooth, dental procedures can only be done after the child turns 2 years old. During this time, the baby can eat normally even with a broken tooth.
