New parents coping with their first baby very often worry about the child’s wellbeing (is the baby sleeping enough? too hot? too cold?) and diet (is the baby eating enough? should I top up breastfeeding with a bottle?), but they tend to underestimate the importance of looking after oral hygiene from the very first days of life to ensure their child develops a healthy, lasting smile.
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions, which you can explore further by reading the articles for little ones on our blog.
1) When should children be taught oral hygiene?
Oral hygiene should begin at a very early age: even before the first teeth come through, it is a good idea to clean the gums after each feed with gauze or a soft, damp cloth, to prevent “baby bottle tooth decay”. (Read more)
2) Is tooth decay hereditary?
Tooth decay does not depend on DNA but on environmental factors such as oral hygiene, diet and exposure to fluoride. (Read more)
3) Can breastfeeding cause tooth decay?
Breast milk also contains sugar, so it is important to clean the baby’s gums well with damp sterile gauze after every feed. (Read more)
4) Thumb or dummy: which is better?
Sucking is an instinct, and children feel the need to suck to relax when they are tired or stressed. It is better to get a child used to a dummy rather than thumb sucking, because it is an easier habit to break. (Read more)
5) At what age should a child’s first orthodontic visit be booked?
It is advisable to take your child to the dentist for the first time as soon as all the baby teeth are in (18–24 months), and it is strongly recommended to book the first orthodontic visit at age 6, when the baby teeth start to be replaced and the permanent teeth begin to come through. (Read more)
