Oral hygiene is vital for a successful oral health, which is why keeping up on oral hygiene is strongly recommended. However, this might be a tough task for those who don’t know that oral hygiene requirements can change at different stages in life. In fact, infant smile care is different than toddler smile care. To help you care for your infant and toddler’s smiles, our dentist, Dr. David Umansky, has some information to share.
Infant oral hygiene
To keep your infant’s smile in tip-top shape, it’s best to clean it after each feeding. This is the case when they don’t have any teeth yet. Make sure to wipe their gums clean with a clean, wet washcloth. When your infant’s little chompers grow into place, it’s best to brush them twice a day. As you do so, use a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush and water. If you wish to use toothpaste, make sure to use the paste that doesn’t contain fluoride and is OK to swallow.
Toddler oral hygiene
To keep your toddler’s smile in tip-top shape, it’s best to clean their little chompers and gums by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. As you brush their teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Only use fluoride toothpaste if your toddler is 2 years old and older and if they can refrain from swallowing the paste. You can also use a toothbrush that has their favorite character on it to make brushing a little more fun.
To learn more about infant and toddler oral hygiene in Humble, Texas, please contact our dental team at Smile Big Pediatric Dentistry at your earliest convenience. We are happy to help you, and we look forward to your phone call!