Oral Health For Newborn Babies

It’s an exciting time to welcome a newborn baby into a family. There are many things to take care of and make sure that parents are ready to care for the baby. Friends and family send baby gifts and offer new mommy and daddy advice on raising the new baby. One thing that is often left out is how to care for a newborn’s oral health. This is mostly over looked because babies do not have teeth yet. However, that does not mean that it is not important to care for your baby’s mouth. Let’s take a look at some tips to keep your newborn baby’s mouth happy and healthy!

Tips For Newborn’s Oral Health

1. Breastfeeding is helpful for teeth development. Breastfeeding not only is beneficial because it provides newborns with nutrients and the mother’s immunity, but it also helps with infant’s oral health. As infants begin to develop their teeth, teeth alignment issues such as overbites occur less in breastfed babies. Additionally, babies who are bottle fed with formula, milk, or juice tend to have more teeth decay than breastfed infants. Breast milk contains less sugar thus helping reduce tooth decay.
2. Clean your infant’s gums after feedings. It’s important that following each feeding you clean your newborn’s gums or at least twice daily with a piece of cloth and drinking water. This will help remove any breast milk or formula residue on the baby’s gums. You should first wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then prepare your piece of cloth and clean drinking water. Wrap the cloth around your fingers and damp the cloth with the water. Last, gently put your finger into your baby’s mouth and wipe the upper and lower gums. This also helps limit the growth of bacteria in your newborn’s mouth.
3. Be aware of what you put in your baby’s mouth. Be cognizant of what you put into your baby’s mouth. It is known that tooth decay are caused by bacteria and is considered an infection. Bacteria can enter your baby’s mouth if unclean objects are placed into the oral cavity. Limiting the spread of bacteria can be accomplished by not sharing utensils with your baby, or rinsing pacifiers and bottle nipples with water – not your saliva.
4. Prepare for your baby’s first teeth. Around four to six months of age, your baby’s gums may be red and swollen and increased saliva. You can ease the inflamed gums with a cold wet wash cloth and a cooling teething toy. Babies usually start getting their first tooth around six to eight months of age. It’s important to begin brushing your infant’s tooth with a soft bristle. You can also help avoid tooth decay by not giving your baby a bottle in bed.

If you still have questions on your newborn’s oral care, give our team at California Dental Group a call at (800) 407-0161. We would love to help ease your concerns and care for your baby’s first teeth.