Oral Hygiene for Babies & Toddlers

Keeping your child’s smile healthy and strong is essential for their development. Establishing a consistent oral hygiene routine from the get-go will help them enjoy a lifetime of good oral health. Here are some oral hygiene tips from our Safari Children’s Dentistry & Braces team!

Start Brushing at the First Sign of Teeth

It’s time to start brushing with a child-friendly toothpaste as soon as your child gets their first tooth! Daily brushing will help protect your child’s baby teeth from cavities. In addition to cavity prevention, brushing your child’s teeth from the start will help them get accustomed to the routine and having a toothbrush in their mouth. They may fight you for a few years but eventually brushing will become second-nature. Stay the course!

Use an Appropriate Amount of Toothpaste

When you first start brushing your child’s teeth, use either a fluoride-free toothpaste or a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Young kids will swallow their toothpaste since they don’t yet know how to spit. Once your child is three years old, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Don’t Give Your Baby a Bottle in Bed

When giving your baby and toddler a bottle or sippy cup of milk, don’t let them keep it with them while they fall asleep. It’s best for their teeth to drink their milk in one sitting instead of gradually sipping on it throughout the day or night. Prolonged sipping of milk (or juice) can increase their risk of cavities.

Fill Your Child’s Diet with Healthful Nutrients

Once your child can start eating solids, provide them with nutrient-packed meals. For example, calcium-rich foods like cheese and yogurt can help boost their oral health. And staying hydrated with milk and water will help their saliva production, which naturally washes away harmful oral bacteria.

Schedule Biannual Dental Visits for Your Child

Has your child had their first dental visit yet? Do they have teeth or are they at least one year old? It’s ideal if a child has their initial dental appointment when their first tooth comes in or around their first birthday. In conjunction with maintaining a balanced diet and other good oral health habits at home, Regular dental exams and cleanings are beneficial for maintaining great oral health. Please contact us to schedule your child’s appointment at Safari Children’s Dentistry & Braces!

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