Everything You Wanted To Know About Baby Dental Care
When we went to our 9 month check-up appointment, I was caught off guard when the doctor asked if we had been brushing Brody's teeth. He has only had teeth for a couple months and just three at this point--the thought of even buying a baby toothbrush had never crossed my mind.
When we returned home, I started doing a little research on baby dental care. Below is some of the usual information I came across, along with the oral care products we've been using and loving.
On Dentist Appointments
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) , uses the phrase "first visit by first birthday" as a guideline to baby's first dental visit. Whether your little one has a mouth full of teeth, or just couple of pearly whites, the first visit helps establish a relationship with the provider and monitor the teeth and gums as a preventative measure to future oral problems.
On Baby Friendly Oral Care Products
Did you know that tooth development begins during the sixth week of pregnancy? As a first time mom, I had no idea that there were products you could start using in the early months to begin taking care of your little one's gums and future teeth. A damp piece of cloth can be massaged on the gums before the first tooth breaks through (MAM makes an Oral Care Rabbit that works great for this as well). This step helps to remove any gunk or bacteria that may build up on the gums or new teeth.
By the time your little one starts teething, a massaging brush not only feels great on the gums, but also helps remove build-up or bacteria. We've been using the Simba Soft Bristle Silicone Brush . Brody loves this thing and it has a large stopper on it so it can't be shoved down his throat. I've also heard a lot of mommas rave about the Banana Toothbrush .
When the teeth start coming through the surface, the AAPD recommends beginning the habit of twice a day teeth brushing. MAM makes a great Learn To Brush Set that has extra soft bristles and a safety shield. AAPD also recommends using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste when brushing.
On Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is an important tool for ensuring your little one's overall oral health. Tooth decay, Early Childhood Caries, and other oral problems can be costly and regular visits to the dentist beginning at an early age can help prevent issues down the road. Guardian Dental , the sponsor of this post, has a great website where you can search through different dental insurance plans and find helpful information on oral care.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
