It’s September, which means that the kids are finally gone back to school and life is finally returning to a normal pace. But did you know that September is the most popular birth month of the year? More babies are born in September than during any other month of the year. If you’re a new parent, here are some top tips for taking care of your new baby’s teeth.
When Will Baby Get Her First Tooth?
Babies generally start cutting their first teeth between the ages of four and seven months old. Some babies can start teething as young as three months, whereas others might not start teething until they’re a year old or older.
Teething is a process that takes several months. Generally, the first teeth to break through are in the middle of the bottom jaw. Baby’s front teeth will come in first, followed by the back teeth.
Most babies have all 20 of their baby teeth by time they’re about three years old.
Signs of Teething and How to Soothe a Teething Baby
Some of the easiest signs of teething are drooling, crankiness and a tendency to bite pretty much anything that they can get their new chompers on, including mom’s and dad’s fingers! Teething babies are notoriously irritable, and especially at night, which can mean lots of sleepless nights for new parents!
Some tried and tested ways to soothe a teething baby include giving them something hard to chew on, giving them cold food to eat, massaging their gums (watch out for bites!) or using over-the-counter pain relievers that you can buy at your local supermarket or pharmacy.
Top Tips for Taking Care of Baby’s Teeth
Here are some tips for taking care of your baby’s teeth:
- Start Cleaning Your Baby’s Teeth as Soon as They Appear – You should start cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to break through the gum. In the beginning, you might simply wipe the gum and any emerging teeth with a clean soft, wet cloth. As your baby gets a little bit older, buy a baby toothbrush and start gently brushing your baby’s teeth and gums. Don’t use toothpaste until they’re older still, about 18 months old.
- Limit Sugary Drinks – Fruit juices and sweet drinks can cause tooth decay in babies just like they can in older kids and adults. Try to limit fruit juices and sweet drinks such as soft drinks, sports drinks or other child-focused drinks for babies under a year old. Even drinks labelled ‘no sugar added’ contain natural sugars that can be bad for baby’s new teeth. Mom’s breast milk, milk and water are good drinks for baby and will help protect their new teeth.
- Don’t Put Baby to Bed with a Bottle – When babies fall asleep with a bottle in their mouths, they are more susceptible to tooth problems because they can fall asleep with some milk or whatever drink is in their bottle in their mouths, leading to plaque buildup and tooth decay.
- Take Your Baby to Your Family Dentist – As soon as your baby’s first teeth start cutting through, arrange an appointment with your family dentist. Your dentist will check out your baby’s teeth and offer more helpful tips for taking care of them, putting them on the road to a lifetime of healthy teeth and beautiful smiles!
Orion Dental provides dental care services for the whole family, from the youngest babies just cutting their first teeth to mature patients who needs dentures and implants. We have offices conveniently located in Milton and Scarborough, and offer some evening and weekend clinic hours. Call us today and book an appointment so we can help you and your family keep your teeth white and your smiles healthy!
