Lauren Neufeld, RDH-BSDH, is an oral health program coordinator with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Primary Care and Rural Health. Lauren made an appearance on KUTV’s Baby Your Baby in October 2022 and shared advice on dental care after birth.
It’s also just an important to keep your babies mouth healthy when they are born:
- Regularly cleaning your baby’s mouth and going to the dentist by age one are great ways to stay healthy.
- Before your baby’s first tooth comes in, take a soft, clean, damp washcloth and gently stimulate the gums. This will remove bacteria from your baby’s mouth and help keep their mouth clean.
- As soon as the first tooth comes in, start brushing the tooth with a soft toothbrush.
- For young children a soft child sized toothbrush is recommended and if the child is under 3 years old only use a smear of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
- Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 to 4 months or sooner if the bristles are worn out or the child has been sick
- Children should also see a dentist within 6 months of the first tooth appearing in the mouth, and no later than their first birthday.
Establishing a dental home for your child by their first birthday is very important. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. Getting regular dental checkups lowers our child’s risk of getting dental and oral diseases. Early preventive services are a critical component of good oral health for young children.
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