When and how should we care for our baby’s first teeth?

The beginning of exciting growth with the first baby tooth

Every day with your baby is a new and precious challenge. Especially, the moment your baby’s first tooth peeks through is an unforgettable one for parents, bringing both emotion and new parenting tasks. Caring for the first teeth is an important starting point that goes beyond simple hygiene, impacting your child’s lifelong oral health. I still vividly remember the night last summer when my baby’s first tooth was coming in, and they cried all night due to teething pain. Had I known more about this beforehand, I could have navigated this period much more smoothly.

Usually, a baby’s first teeth begin to appear around 6 months of age, though the timing can vary. Some babies start getting their front teeth at about 4 months, while others may not show any teeth until after their first birthday. It’s not something to worry about if it’s too early or too late, but if no teeth have appeared by after the first birthday, it’s advisable to consult a pediatric dentist.

As soon as the first teeth start to appear, it’s good to begin hygiene care immediately. One useful tool during this time is the ‘silicone finger toothbrush’. Parents can put it on their finger and gently clean the baby’s gums and teeth. Just using water is sufficient, and foamed fluoride-free toothpaste can be gradually introduced after the first birthday is recommended.

If your baby is still feeding at night, it’s particularly important to pay attention to oral care during this time. You should help ensure they do not fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth and get into the habit of wiping their mouth afterward. Milk or formula remaining around the teeth overnight can easily cause cavities, so make sure to clean the mouth after the last feeding before sleep.

Once your baby starts to have a few teeth, it’s a good idea to let them get used to a small toddler toothbrush by cleaning their teeth twice a day, morning and evening. Even if they can brush on their own, parents should assist with the final cleaning until the child is at least 6 years old. To prevent any aversion to the dentist from the start, you can try fun brushing games at home.

The first dental check-up should be done after the first tooth appears or before the first birthday. This helps to check the alignment of teeth, gum health, and oral hygiene conditions early on. These days, many pediatric dentists focus on preventive care and present a friendly image that helps children adapt to dental visits without fear.

Above all, it is important to ensure your child does not ‘dislike’ brushing. Instead of forcing them to open their mouth, use playful toothbrush toys or simple songs and picture books to make the experience enjoyable. A short, daily habit can become the foundation of your child’s lifelong oral health.

MOM-i values each small habit essential for your baby’s well-being. It offers real-time monitoring features to help observe your baby’s oral hygiene pattern during the day, and monitor teeth grinding or sudden risk signs during sleep at night. During the teething period, managing a stable sleep environment is crucial, and MOM-i’s AI Baby Camera helps alleviate parents’ worries with functions such as apnea detection and motion analysis during sleep. Let’s preserve our baby’s healthy smile together without missing any of their changes.

I vividly remember the night of crying. At the time, I was really confused about how to help, but as I learned more about the tooth development process and care, I slowly gained confidence.

To avoid missing any signs of your baby’s health along with first tooth care, pay attention to minor signs in daily life. If your baby is particularly fussy or unable to sleep at night, there could be various reasons beyond dental issues. Using parenting equipment with real-time monitoring allows parents to meticulously observe their baby’s condition even when they’re not around.

By recalling each parenting tip one by one, you will sooner or later find that the healthier growth of your child is accompanied by more confident parents. If you want to maintain a stable parenting routine even during this sensitive tooth-growing period, using a baby AI camera like MOM-i can be a good solution. If you have any questions about its use or features, feel free to contact us.

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