When should you start baby dental care? Is Toothpaste Necessary? Pediatric dentist Dr. Sabine Wenger reveals what parents need to pay attention to.
"If the child's first teeth break through, you should start brushing," explains Dr. Sabine Wenger. "In addition, a visit to the dentist is sensible and advisable at this point." The children's dentist answered in an interview with WOMAN (www.kinderzahnpraxis.at) important questions about dental care and gives parents valuable tips!
When will the first tooth come?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: The timing of the tooth eruption can be very different. Some babies have their first teeth as early as three months, while others smile without teeth even after their first birthday. Usually the first breakthrough occurs between the 6th and 10th month of life.
Which teeth come first?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: Most of the lower central incisors
What are the signs when the baby is teething?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: As soon as babies put everything in their mouths and chew on it, it is a sign of teething. They put their own fists in their mouths, the flow of saliva is stronger than usual, the cheeks may be red and hot, and often the gums are red, swollen and tender. Concomitant symptoms can also be fever and loose stools. The babies often sleep restlessly and are tearful.
Are there ways to make the teething process more pleasant?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: Slightly cooled, special teething rings are very helpful in making the teething process easier. They have a pain-relieving effect and accelerate the breakthrough. Gentle gum massages with rubber caps are also good for the little ones. In addition, you can apply pain relieving tooth gels and ointments to the gums. Homeopathic remedies such as Calcium carbonicum, Chamomilla or Belladonna can be used for calming and pain relief. If necessary, administer antipyretic and analgesic suppositories (Viburcol). Before doing this, however, please clarify with the pediatrician.
What to do when the first tooth appears
Dr. Sabine Wenger: Caring for baby teeth is especially important as they should be preserved for as long as possible. The milk teeth are placeholders for the subsequent permanent teeth and have an enormous influence on the development of the jaw and language. It is therefore necessary to start dental care when the first milk tooth erupts.
How often should you brush your child's teeth?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: From the age of 1, you should brush twice a day with a children's toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste.
Should the toothpaste contain fluoride?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: As soon as the children can spit out completely, which is usually after the age of 1, you should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with a fluoride content of 500 ppm fluoride. Fluorides protect the teeth from acid attacks.
How do you brush a baby's teeth?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: With the first tooth, a cotton swab or rubber finger cap with knobs is sufficient. If there are more teeth, I recommend switching to a child-friendly toothbrush with soft bristles. Electric toothbrushes should only be used from the age of 3.
Should you go to the dentist with your first tooth?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: The first visit to the dentist is recommended within the first year of life. This is a good way of getting information about the right prophylaxis and getting the child used to the dentist at an early stage.
Can breast milk or the bottle cause tooth decay at night?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: It is important to avoid so-called bottle caries - triggered by constant sucking on the bottle or prolonged breastfeeding. This form of tooth decay usually begins on the upper incisors, mostly due to increased intake of sugary juices, especially at night. Constant sucking leads to massive, premature destruction of the milk teeth.
Is there a trick my child can use to enjoy brushing their teeth and open their mouths?
Dr. Sabine Wenger: 1. It's always best to be playful. Brushing your teeth should be a fun ritual with exciting stories or songs. Electric toothbrushes with melodies are also very helpful, but only from the age of 3.
2. The older the children get, the more important the role model function of the parents becomes. If the children see that the parents brush their teeth regularly, the little ones want that too.
3. How often do you hear the sentence: "My child does not want to have their teeth brushed" as a reason, while the same mother certainly does not get the idea not to buckle her child in the child seat in the car just because it does not want to. So be sure to brush your first teeth, you save yourself and your child a lot of inconvenience.
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