Oral hygiene is vital if you want a strong and successful smile, and it’s the same case for your child. Oral hygiene is a great tool to use even before your child’s primary teeth move into the mouth. So, to help you properly clean and care for your child’s baby teeth, we recommend doing the following things:
· Before your baby’s teeth come in, clean their gums every day with a moist gauze pad and wash cloth. This will help wash away the plaque that threatens your child’s smile.
· Once your child’s teeth grow into the smile, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean them twice a day. You should only use a small amount of toothpaste—about the size of a tiny grain of rice.
· Between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and make sure you brush your child’s teeth every morning and every night. They are more than welcome to brush their own teeth, but we recommend that you supervise so they don’t swallow the toothpaste.
· When two teeth grow in next to each other, make sure to floss between those teeth at least once a day. You can use a flossing product of your choice to do so.
Call Tatum & Cox today if you have any questions about oral hygiene and baby teeth! Dr. Crawford A. Tatum Jr. and our friendly dental team are here to help you in any way we can if you just call 334-745-6393. We look forward to talking with you!