It may sound silly to talk about your infant's oral health, but it's actually very serious. If you don't take good care of your baby's gums, it could lead to problems with their baby teeth when they come in as well as issues with their adult teeth later on down the road. Your infant may not have any teeth just yet, but you still need to care for their gums. Read on for everything you need to know about taking care of your baby's oral health.

Clean Their Gums

Your infant may be too small for a toothbrush, but you can still clean their gums. Use a clean washcloth that is moist with warm water and rub it along your baby's gums. Start at the back and work your way to the front of your baby's mouth. Be sure to rub the gums along the sides and the top/bottom as well. Your baby may want to chew on the cloth, which is OK too. It can help with teething and your baby may enjoy the extra pressure on their gums. Don't use any type of toothpaste in your infant's mouth. Discuss when to begin using toothpaste with your pediatric dentist specialist or pediatrician.

Skip The Bottle At Night

If you have been putting your baby to sleep every night with a bottle in his mouth, it is a good idea to stop now. This can lead to bottle rot, which is when your baby's teeth, even the ones below the surface, to rot. This happens because there is actually a lot of sugar in milk. Even natural sugars left on the teeth and gums can be harmful, so try to avoid putting your baby to sleep each and every night with a bottle. As your baby ages, putting your baby to sleep with the bottle still in their mouths can also be harmful. It can rot the teeth and cause them to shift.

Make A Dentist Appointment

Babies as young as six months should be seen by a pediatric dentist. The dentist can inspect their teeth and gums to be sure they are in good shape and free from any issues or concerns. If you have any concerns about your baby's oral health or questions about teething, you can discuss these things with the dentist. You should take your baby to the dentist every six months after the first initial appointment.

If you aren't sure how to take care of your baby's teeth or gums, talk to the pediatric dentist specialist today. How you take care of your baby's gums now will help prevent oral issues further on down the road.

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