Just because your baby's first teeth have yet to grow in doesn't mean oral hygiene isn't important. In fact, parents should begin cleaning a baby's mouth soon after birth to ensure the development of healthy teeth and gums in the future. One way to provide this care, both before and after teeth have come in, is with a small finger toothbrush that will gently clean a baby's teeth and gums.
Baby Teeth
A child's primary teeth --- or "baby teeth" --- are just as important as the permanent teeth that will grow later, according to the American Dental Association. An infant's primary teeth usually grow between 6 months and 1 year of age. Primary teeth help children chew and speak. The dental association recommends that a baby should be taken on his first visit to the dentist within six months of the first tooth emerging. The dentist will check for tooth decay and other dental problems and instruct parents how to properly clean their baby's teeth.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene should begin within a few days of birth, and the American Dental Association recommends parents clean their baby's mouth after every feeding. For young infants, use a clean gauze pad to wipe the baby's gums, which removes sticky bacteria called plaque that can harm teeth before they erupt through the gums. Tooth decay can begin immediately after teeth appear, so you should begin to gently brush a child's teeth soon after they cut through the gums, using either small, child-sized toothbrush, a finger toothbrush and a bit of water or specially designed oral wipes. In fact, a study undertaken at Federal University of Ceará in Brazil indicated that both oral wipes and conventional toothbrushes effectively reduced plaque levels.
Finger Toothbrush
A finger toothbrush is a small appliance --- usually made from rubber or silicone --- with bumps or ridges that fits over a parent's finger like a thimble. A finger toothbrush will gently clean baby teeth and massage gums. Fluoride toothpaste, however, shouldn't be used on a child's teeth until about the age of 2. Before that, brushing with water will suffice. Finger toothbrushes are portable and should be taken with you so you can clean your baby's teeth after each feeding.
Types
In addition to the rubber finger toothbrushes, other types of single-finger swabs can also prove effective in providing oral hygiene for babies. For example, some finger toothbrushes are made from a blend of cotton and polyester, with a slightly rough, Velcro-like surface that is gently abrasive that makes it ideal for a baby's tender mouth and gums. Most types of finger toothbrushes also come with a case that will keep the brush clean between uses.
References
- American Dental Association: Baby Teeth
- Practicon: Tenders Pre-Toothbrushes
- Medline Plus: Child Dental Health
- Organicaly Hatched: BPA Free, Finger Toothbrush with Case
- "Pediatric Dentistry"; The Effectiveness of a Novel Infant Tooth Wipe in High Caries-Risk Babies 8 to 15 Months Old; A. Galganny-Almeida, et al.; July 2007
