A white-toothed smile will beautify any child. It will also allow him to avoid the troubles associated with dental diseases. But in order for milk teeth to be healthy, they need to be looked after.
Where to start
The first procedures for caring for the oral cavity should be carried out in the infant even before the appearance of his first teeth, at about the age of 4 months. A small child does not know how to rinse his mouth yet, therefore your task is to thoroughly clean the mucous membrane of his mouth from plaque that forms during eating. To do this, 20 minutes after the baby has eaten, you need to moisten a piece of sterile gauze in water and use it to clean the baby's tongue and gums with massaging movements.
Do not give up if the baby initially resists your actions. Be persistent and he will quickly get used to regular procedures. Then in the future you will spend less effort to teach him to brush his teeth on his own. When the baby's first teeth appear, continue to rub them with gauze after each meal. Babies do not need special cleansers (toothpaste or mouthwash).
My first brush
By one year, a baby usually has 8 milk teeth, which means that it is time to switch to real toothbrushes and toothpastes. The first toothbrush should be tailored specifically for an early age. The size of the head is 2 times the width of the baby's milk tooth. It should fit easily in the mouth, move to any corner of the mouth, not cause discomfort or pull the cheeks. And remember that even the best brush needs to be replaced at least once every 2 months.
The first toothpaste should also be adapted for young children. Its main characteristic is the absence of fluorine. In general, it is a useful trace element, but it does not have the best effect on the formation of tooth enamel. If the toothpaste is not labeled "children's", it should be abandoned. The fact is that pastes for adults, even if they are free of fluoride, often contain abrasive particles, bleaching elements, and they are too aggressive for the baby's delicate cavity.
I myself
When your baby is two years old, try to entrust him with some of the steps of brushing your teeth - of course, under your careful control. Squeeze the paste onto the brush for now. It is still difficult for a kid to control the required amount of pasta, he can simply get carried away by the process itself, and as a result, excess pasta will inevitably be eaten by him. True, this will not cause more harm to health, but since the pasta is still not intended for food, constant swallowing of it in large quantities can cause digestive upset.
The total time for hygienic oral care at this age is 3 minutes. So that the baby can keep track of the time, put an hourglass in the bathroom, and this will become a fascinating incentive for brushing your teeth.
A child over three years old can be offered to master oral counting in parallel: 3 minutes is approximately the time it takes to count to a hundred at an average pace. Count it yourself and you will see how quickly he will remember the numbers! And later he will count to himself.
A child needs to brush his teeth at least twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. But if possible, take the baby to the bathroom after dinner. Excessive hygiene procedure will only bring additional benefits to his teeth.
