3 Things To Know About Your Baby’s First Teeth

When you have your first baby, you will probably have a lot of questions about caring for him or her, and some of these questions might relate to your baby's first teeth. Your baby's first teeth will start appearing just four to five months after he or she is born and caring for these teeth from the start is very important. Here are a few things you should know about your baby and his or her teeth.

Cutting Teeth Hurts

First of all, you should understand that cutting teeth can hurt. These small teeth that enter your baby's mouth must work their way through the gums, and this can be painful. If you suspect that your baby's mouth hurts, take a look inside. You might notice that there is redness or swelling in areas where teeth are trying to come through. If so, this is completely normal.

If this happens, you can use a variety of different things to soothe your baby's pain, and one option is numbing gel for babies. You can rub a small dab on the gums in the sore area, and this can help a little bit. Giving your child a cold baby chew toy can also help. The coldness from the toy can ease and numb the pain a little bit and chewing on the toy may help those small teeth come through faster.

Cleaning Teeth with a Wet Cloth Is the Best Method

Secondly, when you see those first teeth come in, you should start caring for them by cleaning them. The best way to clean baby teeth at this stage is by wiping them off with a clean, wet cloth. You should aim to do this right after your baby eats anything or drinks milk or formula from a bottle. Wiping down your baby's teeth and gums helps remove sugars, bacteria, and food particles, which will help keep your baby's mouth cleaner and healthier.

Take Your Baby to the Dentist Around Age One

Finally, you should start looking for a dentist shortly after your baby is born, as you should consider taking him or her for a first visit around the age of one. A first visit helps acclimate a baby to dentistry and is useful for helping you learn more about caring for your baby's mouth.

If you have concerns or questions about your baby's teeth, talk to your pediatrician and experts at your family dental care provider.


Share