New parents are always worried about their baby’s health and well-being. They might experience sleeplessness, fatigue, and stress due to the new lifestyle changes that they have to make.
In addition, they need to ensure that their baby is safe and healthy to enjoy many years together as a family. The first thing that you need to do is understand the importance of good oral care for your baby. You should know that poor oral hygiene can cause serious problems in the future, especially if your child is prone to cavities or has already experienced tooth decay.
What New Parents Should Know About Baby Teeth
New parents can be overwhelmed by all the information they need about baby teeth. Here are some of the important things you should know as new parents:
● Oral Hygiene
Newborns have sensitive gums and small mouths. They also have many baby teeth that are not yet fully formed. Parents should not use an adult toothbrush on their child, as this can injure developing gums and damage tooth enamel.
Parents should use a soft-bristled toothbrush or small finger brush to hold. If they cannot hold one of these, they can use a special brush if necessary. New moms and dads should also ensure their babies do not eat or drink anything that could cause damage to their teeth.
● Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is very important for good dental health, which means eating lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and lean proteins.
A diet high in sugars and processed foods can lead to tooth decay if it isn’t balanced with good nutrition from other food groups such as dairy products and fresh fish. The doctor recommends that new parents introduce solid foods as soon as possible so they can build a healthy diet for their baby at an early age.
● Bad Habits can Distort the Teeth Alignments
New parents should be very careful about handling their baby’s teeth. A baby tooth will not be aligned until it’s fully developed and erupted, so if you don’t want your child to have crooked teeth, you should make sure that he doesn’t start biting on anything early on.
The enamel of a baby’s teeth is soft and can easily be damaged by everyday habits like chewing on your fingers or using a pacifier that an adult has chewed on.
● Fluoride Helps to Prevent Tooth Decay
New parents need to know that fluoride is added to many over-the-counter medicines and foods to prevent tooth decay. Many doctors recommend giving your baby fluoride supplements while newborns have a healthy mouth.
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against cavities. It also reduces decay by killing bacteria on the surface of teeth that cause tooth decay.
● Schedule Dental Appointments
Once you’ve decided which dentist in your area is best suited for caring for your baby, schedule an appointment as soon as possible after birth. It may take several visits, so you don’t need to worry about their teeth. Doctors will take care of your baby’s teeth and can protect them from any harm.
How to Maintain Baby’s Teeth Hygiene?
When your baby starts to eat solid foods, you may be tempted to let them eat what they want. This can be a mistake because it can lead to poor tooth alignment and an increased risk of cavities.
You should avoid giving your child anything that contains sugar, such as juice or candy. If you give them fruit, make sure it is cut up into pieces that are small enough for their small mouths and teeth.
If you’re breastfeeding, make sure that you brush your baby’s teeth regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Conclusion
The best approach to your child’s teeth combines strong parental guidance and good dental habits. As your child grows older, you should continue encouraging them to brush their teeth at least twice daily.
This should help good dental health habits for life. Cautioning against pacifier use as early as possible is also advisable if you want your child not to develop any bad habits with their teeth. Sharma Dental Clinic Ludhiana is the just the place you need to visit for all the dental problems faced by your children.