When he was born, the baby did not immediately have teeth. Generally baby teeth will grow when your little one is 6-8 months old. However, Moms should not let the condition of the mouth just like that, without cleaning it. So that you don’t carelessly clean your child’s teeth, Mommy must understand how to clean your child’s teeth properly so that your little one’s oral health is maintained.
Why Need to Clean Gums in Newborns?
According to the ADA (American Dental Association) baby’s teeth and gums need to be cleaned at least twice a day. The habit of cleaning baby’s gums from birth can help reduce bacteria that trigger bad breath and infection.
Babies who are still drinking breast milk or formula milk are also prone to yeast infections (candidiasis), so Mommy needs to clean the baby’s mouth regularly.
What are the dangers if you don’t clean your children’s teeth regularly from an early age?
Reporting from the official Hermina Hospital website, it is stated that there are many dental and oral health problems that can arise if children are not taught to brush their teeth from an early age. Especially if your little one likes to eat sweet foods and doesn’t drink enough water.
Some health problems that can stalk a child’s oral health are:
- Dental caries, because there is a buildup of plaque in the teeth and mouth.
- Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums which can make the gums bleed easily
- Periodontitis, a serious gum infection that results in damage to the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
What ingredients should be avoided in children’s toothpaste?
One way to clean children’s teeth 1 year and over is to choose the right toothpaste. However, there are several types of ingredients that Mommy needs to avoid when choosing toothpaste for your little one. Here are the details:
1. DEA (Diethanolamine)
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends avoiding using toothpaste that contains DEA. This is because DEA can react with other ingredients to form nitrosamines which are toxic, making them dangerous for your little one’s health
2.SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate)
This content can cause long-term damage to children’s teeth. Apart from its function of making toothpaste with foam, it turns out that SLS can dehydrate the skin and lose its natural oils. SLS can also trigger bad breath and allergies, Moms. Wow, it’s scary!!
Apart from the two ingredients above, ingredients such as triclosan, titanium oxide, and artificial dyes should also be avoided. Before choosing, Mommy is advised to look at the ingredients used in the toothpaste packaging for your little one. If it contains the ingredients above, duh, you shouldn’t choose it. Moms can switch to natural and organic toothpaste, for the sake of the health of your little one’s teeth and mouth.
Xylitol vs Fluoride, Which is Better?
Fluoride and xylitol are two ingredients that are often found in toothpaste. Which one is better?
Depends on Moms!! Depends on the age of the little one.
If your little one is under 3 years old, then Mommy should choose toothpaste with xylitol in it. Meanwhile, if your little one is aged 3 to 12 years, Moms can try toothpaste with fluoride content.
Children who used fluoride or xylitol toothpaste had fewer cavities than children who did not use them.
How to clean children’s teeth properly?
If you have chosen the right toothpaste, you must also know how to clean your child’s teeth properly. The process of cleaning baby and toddler teeth is not the same, Moms! Especially for babies who don’t have teeth yet, the focus is on the cleanliness of the tongue, gums and oral cavity. Here’s the full how-to:
- Prepare baby teeth cleaning tools such as gauze or a toothbrush made from soft silicone.
- Use the special oral gel for babies by pouring a small amount onto a damp cloth or gauze. Then wipe the gums gently.
- Then wet your little one’s gums with warm water. Then gently wipe again over the gums, tongue and oral cavity.
What about toddlers who already have teeth?
- Prepare a soft toothbrush and pour enough toothpaste.
- Brush in a circular and thorough motion to ensure that the teeth are clean from food and drink residue.
As much as possible, do the activity of cleaning your teeth at the same time every day so that children get used to it and think of it as a routine.
Can Children Use Adult Toothpaste?
The answer is no, Moms! Special toothpaste for children and adults is not the same. Of course it would be safer, if Moms chose toothpaste with special ingredients that are “friendly” to the condition of your little one’s mouth.
Don’t forget to choose toothpaste made from organic ingredients, because the ingredients are guaranteed to be safe from harmful chemicals and make your little one’s teeth and mouth healthy. Moms can try oral gel and toothpaste from Buds Organics.
Buds Organics Oral Gel is made from organic ingredients that have been certified by Ecocert and specially formulated for babies aged 0-1 years. Its xylitol content is useful for protecting and cleaning the gums and strengthening the growth of your little one’s new teeth. In addition, this oral gel also contains aloe vera which soothes the gums while keeping the baby’s tongue from irritation. Free of artificial fragrances and harmful chemicals so it’s safe to swallow.
For your little one who is 1 year old and above, Moms can give Xylitol Toothpaste to him. Made from ecocert-certified organic materials, so it is safe for your little one to use. Not to mention the content of coconut oil extract which effectively kills germs stuck between the teeth. The aloe vera extract also helps maintain and nourish the gums and protect your little one’s tongue from irritation, and is safe if swallowed. Moms can give Toothpaste Flouride when your little one is 3 years old and above.
Available in 4 variants made from fruit and natural ingredients: Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Peppermint, and Green Apple, so your little one is free to choose which one is his favorite.
The importance of cleaning your child’s teeth needs to be understood by Moms as parents, because the effect will be felt when your little one grows up. Instilling how to clean children’s teeth from an early age will also make your little one more aware of his own hygiene in the future.