How to protect your baby’s oral health?
With these 5 tips you can prevent your baby from suffering from dental discomfort such as tooth decay
Smiling baby biting the right index finger. / Reference image / Pexels
LatinAmerican Post | Marcela Peñaloza
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Many parents often believe that the oral health care of babies starts when their first teeth come out. However, cleaning the mouth of babies should start from the first moment. Breast milk and other food can leave residues in their gums. In addition, the use of a bottle with sugary drinks and the pacifier can cause tooth decay, so cleaning is essential to encourage care habits.
How to take care of a baby's mouth?
You should know that the method will vary depending on the age of the baby, because it is not the same to take care of the mouth of a one month baby to that of one of a year. You can put these tips into practice to take care of your baby's health, but we recommend consulting a pediatric dentist so he can answer your questions.
1. Breast milk is a super food for babies. This food helps develop the baby's immune system and complete the formation of your child's organs. Baby ABC highlights that “breast milk is essential for the oral health of children, because it favors the development of all the tissues and organs that make up the mouth, and allow functions such as chewing, eating and talking but yes, always in a proper cleaning framework ”.
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2. If your baby is between 1 and 3 months old, Colgate recommends that you clean your baby's gums with a piece of loop and water. The gauze should be sterilized and you should gently rub it on your child's gums, tongue, and palate. The procedure can be done once a day after the baby has consumed his last meal.
3. From 3 months to 6 months, before the first teeth appear, you can repeat the same process, but this time with a brush suitable for their age. According to ABC of the Baby, you can also use a silicone thimble. As in the first 3 months, the procedure can be done once a day.
4. After six months onwards, while your baby's teeth are coming out, it is recommended to purchase a pediatric soft bristle brush. Make sure you don't hurt their gums, especially when the teeth are coming out.
5. Consult a specialist to recommend you a special toothpaste for your baby's age. This point is important since the baby could ingest it and the components could make him sick.
