A Parent's Guide to Teething Woes Did you know that babies are born with a full set of 20 baby teeth already hidden in their gums? Even before baby teeth start to appear, it is important to start a regime of dental hygiene. Begin by carefully wiping your baby's gums with a clean gauze or face flannel a couple of times each day. Baby teeth usually appear between the age of three months and one year. Normally, the first teeth to appear are those in the middle of the lower jaw, although there is no specific rule for this. Once the first teeth appear, continue your daily routine of cleaning your baby's gums twice a day, still using that gauze or face flannel wrapped around your finger. Pay attention to the front and back of each new tooth, but remember to be gentle, as the area around the newly emerged teeth will be particularly sensitive.If your baby seems to accept this cleaning without fuss, you can move on to a tooth brush designed for children under two years. Go for a tooth brush with bristles that have soft and rounded tips. Most dentists recommend that you do not use toothpaste to clean your baby¿s teeth until the age of eighteen months. When you are ready to start using toothpaste, go for a low fluoride brand and do not use too much; a pea sized amount on the tooth brush is ideal. Brush the baby's teeth with a gentle motion, moving in circles around each tooth. Follow these tips and your baby will have an excellent dental start to life! |