An infant is a baby below or upto 1 year of age.
Infant oral health is essential for laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. It involves taking care of an infant’s mouth, teeth, and gums starting from birth. Here are key practices for promoting good oral health in infants:
- Start early : Clean your baby’s gums with a moist or damp cotton cloth after breast feeding.
- Teething Care: When teeth begin to come in (usually around 6 months), brush them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
- Avoid Prolonged Bottle-Feeding: Extended use of bottles, especially with sugary drinks or milk, can cause “baby bottle tooth decay.” It’s recommended to avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle
- Healthy Diet: Introduce healthy foods early. Avoid giving sugary snacks or drinks, which can promote tooth decay. Too much salt or sugar is a strict NO NO.
- First Dental Visit: It’s recommended that infants have their first dental check-up within six months of their first tooth or by their first birthday. Early dental visits help identify potential issues early on.
- Pacifier and Thumb Sucking: Pacifiers and thumb sucking are natural reflexes in infants but prolonged habits(Beyond 3 years of age) can affect tooth alignment. It’s advisable to gently guide the child away from these habits as they grow.
By following these practices, parents can help ensure their infant’s oral health develops properly from the start.
