1. Massage Baby Gums
Even if your baby still has a toothless grin, it's a good idea to get into the habit of wiping her gums. Wrap a wet washcloth or gauze around your index finger during bath time. Rub it over her gums with a gentle motion. This will allow you to wipe away any bacteria. Bacteria doesn't usually harm gums when there are no teeth, but you'll want to start dental care early because it gets your baby used to having her gums and teeth cleaned. You'll be happy you did because it'll be smooth transition to brushing later on.
2. Soothe the Pain
If your baby is teething, wrap a gauze or washcloth around your finger and massage her gums. The pressure will make her gums feel better. You can also give her a teething ring made of rubber. It's better than the liquid-filled kind because your baby's teeth may puncture the ring. If your baby seems to feel better when she's sucking on her bottle, go ahead and let her have it--just fill it with water. Too much sugary juice, formula or milk can cause her teeth to decay, so water is a better idea. Think cool when soothing your baby. A chilled teething ring or cold washcloth goes a long way--but don't give her something frozen, that can cause more pain. If your baby is eating foods, give her some cold applesauce. If her sore gums are keeping her up at night, try a remedy like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You can also rub teething medications like Orajel on her gums.
3. Brush Away Bacteria
As that toothless grin becomes a tooth-filled grin, you'll want to start brushing your baby's teeth. As soon as her baby teeth start to show up, when she's about six months old, use a tooth brush with a small head to clean her teeth. You want to do it on a regular basis, but don't worry about using toothpaste just yet. That shouldn't be introduced until she can spit it out, when she's about three years old. Brush her baby teeth gently, making sure to get the inside and outside surfaces. Aim for brushing twice a day. Make sure to get her tongue, too. Remember--healthy teeth and gums go together so it's important to achieve overall dental care. Buy a new tooth brush when you notice the bristles are getting worn out.
4. Going to the Dentist
It's up for debate when you should take your child to the dentist for the first time. Some experts recommend you take her when she's three unless you have a family history of poor dental health and cavities. If so, her doctor will probably send you to the dentist after her first baby teeth appear. The dentist will check to see that her gums are healthy and her teeth are coming in correctly. With that said, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that your baby see a dentist when she's between six and 12 months old. That's because 40 percent of children experience tooth decay by the time they're five years old.
5. Make Brushing fun
If brushing just isn't your child's favorite past time, make it fun by buying a tooth brush with a cartoon character on it. They come with Elmo, Dora the Explorer and others. You can even find toothpaste that's fun and kid-friendly. Something as simple as this goes a long way in making a chore become a fun activity. Another way to entice her to brush her teeth is to buy a few tooth brushes in different colors. Let her choose which one she wants to brush with in the morning and evening. Let her brush her teeth first, then check them over and finish the job if she missed a spot.
