Caring For Baby Teeth 

I wanted to introduce you to our baby, Harry Alexander. He’s now eight months old and has started teething 😳. We had a lot of frustration, moaning, high temperatures and sleepless nights but we made it through.

The first lower central incisors finally appeared 🥳. I can truly sympathise with all you mums and dads…. it isn’t easy seeing your baby in distress! Therefore, as soon as the first tooth appears, start trying to clean it using a soft infant toothbrush designed for children under two years. Harry has a bamboo one and when it’s not being used as a toothbrush, he loves munching on it!! If your baby doesn’t like the toothbrush in their mouth, you can use clean, damp gauze to wipe the front and back of each tooth.

Teething and what to expect

Teething can begin as early as three months; you will see the first tooth start to push through your baby’s gum line when your little one is between 4 and 7 months old. Harry’s first tooth appeared around eight months. So don’t worry if it takes a little longer than the book says.

The first teeth to appear are usually the two bottom front teeth, also known as the central incisors. They’re usually followed 4 to 8 weeks later by the four front upper teeth (central and lateral incisors). About a month later, the two teeth on either side of the bottom front teeth will appear.

Next to break through are the first molars, which are the back teeth we use for chewing and grinding food. Then, finally, the eyeteeth (the pointy teeth or fangs, as some people refer to them as) come through in the upper jaw. Most kids have all 20 of their primary teeth by their third birthday. If your childs teeth take longer than this to come through, it is worth consulting your GP just to be sure there is nothing else going on.

What Are the Signs of Teething?

• Drooling more and more
• Chewing everything and anything that they can lay their little hands on.
• Irritable
• They can seem cranky for weeks I’m afraid!
• Crying spells
• Disrupted sleeping and eating patterns
• Tender and swollen gums
• Slightly higher temperature

Here are some tips to keep in mind when your baby is teething:

1. Gently wipe your baby’s face often with a cloth to remove the drool and prevent rashes from developing. If a rash does appear, there are few anti-drooling products out there. For our baby Harry we used Aquaphor or Vaseline, which worked its magic.
2. Give your baby something to chew. Make sure it is big enough that it can’t be swallowed or choked on and that it can’t break into small pieces. Teethers can also provide a lovely sensory experience for your baby. Many of these clever toys make noises, have interesting designs, and feature plenty of different textures. The little bumps and grooves offer a gentle massage on their gums. Some are soft, some are hard. But you should give your baby something they can grasp themselves. Anything you give your baby should be checked for suitability first! The item should also be large enough that they can’t fit the entire thing in their mouths. Always look at the manufactures instructions as some toys are not suitable for sterilising.

How Should I Care for My Baby’s Teeth?

The care and cleaning of your baby’s teeth and gums are important for long-term dental health. Even though the first set of teeth will fall out, tooth decay makes them fall out much more quickly, leaving gaps before the permanent teeth are ready to come through. The remaining primary teeth may then crowd together to attempt to fill in the gaps, which may cause the permanent teeth to come through crooked and out of place. This is not gospel, of course, there are always exceptions, for example, it has always been a battle getting my 7-year-old daughter to brush her teeth properly…. yes, even a hygienist struggles! However, her baby teeth have not wanted to visit the tooth fairy in a rush, and she now has her adult teeth coming through behind her baby teeth, meaning that straightening treatment will be necessary at some stage, so as I say, there is no set rule, nature will take its course!

That said, give your babies a fighting chance, daily dental care should begin even before your baby’s first tooth comes through. Wipe your baby’s gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze, or brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized, toothbrush and water, no toothpaste though!

As soon as the first tooth appears, brush it with water and fluoridated toothpaste, using only a tiny amount.

By the time all your baby’s teeth are through, try to brush them at least twice a day and especially after meals.

A top tip for preventing tooth decay in our little ones, is, don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth, the milk or juice can pool in a baby’s mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.