fbpx

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

Little teeth are a big deal!

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

Healthy teeth are important to your baby’s overall health. They help your baby eat and form sounds and words. They also affect the way your baby’s jaw grows. Good oral care helps set good dental habits as your baby grows.

When your baby’s teeth begin to come in, follow these tips:

Care for Infant 0-6 months

  • While most babies don't start getting teeth until they are 6 months old, infant dental care is important from the very beginning.
  • Simply use a soft cloth moistened with warm water, and gently wipe your baby's gums.
    This removes any lingering formula or milk and prevents bacteria buildup.
  • It’s a good practice to clean baby’s mouth after each feeding.


Toddler 6- 18 months

  • Teething may begin in the first few months after birth, but most babies begin teething at about six months of age. In some babies, teething may begin later, even after 12 months of age.
  • During the early stages of tooth development, be especially gentle with your baby's teeth and gums.
  • Use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or finger brush and a light touch when cleaning your baby's new teeth. No toothpaste is necessary. This gets your baby used to the feeling of the toothbrush in his mouth and lets him learn that brushing is a pleasant experience, not something that should be frightening or irritating.
  • Schedule routine dental exams for your child every 6 months, once the first tooth appears.

Introduce brushing from 1.5 to 3 years

  • Begin using toothpaste to brush your child's teeth when he/she is 2 years old.
  • Introduce fluoride toothpaste when your child is old enough not to swallow it.
  • As soon as two teeth touch each other, floss between them once a day.
  • For children younger than 3 years old, use only a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
  • Shield kids toothbrushes are attractive, colorful and safe for children to use.
    Shield Kids Champs toothpaste range is available in 3 fun flavors: Strawberry, orange and bubblegum.

Teething tips

Classic signs and symptoms of teething include:

  • Drooling
  • Chewing on objects
  • Irritability or crankiness
  • Sore or tender gums
  • Low-grade fever

Ways to soothe sore gums:

  • Use a clean finger or moistened cotton swab to rub your baby's gums. The pressure can ease your baby's
    discomfort.
  • Keep it cool. A cold washcloth or a Shield refrigerated
    teether can help soothe irritated gums.
  • Try hard foods. If your baby is eating solid foods, you might offer something edible such as a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot.
  • To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby's chin. Consider applying a moisturizer such as a water-based cream or lotion.
  • Avoid homeopathic teething tablets and teething
    medications that contain pain relievers.

Preventing early tooth decay

Signs of early childhood tooth decay

  • White spots begin to form on the teeth in areas affected. These spots mean that the enamel is starting to breakdown. They may lead to early sensitivity in the teeth.
  • An early cavity appears on the tooth. It has a light brown color.
  • The cavity becomes deeper. It turns a darker shade of brown to black.

PREVENTION:

There are many ways in which you can help to prevent tooth decay in young children, including:

  • Providing water as the main drink from 6 months
  • Avoiding juices and other sugary drinks
  • Regular cleaning or brushing
  • When your baby has finished feeding, remove them from the bottle
  • Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle
  • Never put sweet drinks in a baby bottle

Start teaching your child to drink from a feeding cup from about six months of age. By around 12 months, they should be drinking only from a cup. Your baby should see a dentist for the first time around their first birthday. This is important if they are at high risk for cavities or other teeth problems.

TOP