Let’s talk about your child’s oral care. I know, I know, it can be a terrifying topic — but it doesn’t have to be! Many parents find oral care to be overwhelming because they think there’s SO much to learn, but it’s not actually as complicated as most people think it is! In fact, we can break it down into three easy stages: teething & first tooth, first dentist visit, and at-home dental hygiene.
To start our conversation about kids’ oral care, let’s go back to the very beginning: birth! Babies are born with all 20 primary teeth below the gum line. These teeth typically start to grow in when babies are 6 to 12 months old, but babies can start experiencing teething symptoms as early as three months.
Parents who have gone through the teething process with a baby know how much of a challenge it can be (in fact, in a recent Mom.com survey, 4 out of 5 parents report that their kids suffer from teething symptoms). Teething can be tough for babies and parents alike, since symptoms include things like increased drooling, mild fever, runny nose, decreased appetite, irritability, and more. In the eight days it takes for a tooth to erupt, babies often experience pain and discomfort — and they take it out on their parents. Luckily, there are some simple solutions for easing teething pain. Of course, babies react differently to different solutions, but some of the best options are chilled teething rings, cold foods, gum massages, and Baby Orajel Non-Medicated Cooling Gels for Teething.
The next big teething milestone? Baby’s first tooth! Babies are typically six months old when their first tooth comes in — and this is a great time to introduce your baby to a daily oral care routine. At this stage, you should start brushing your baby’s teeth and gums twice a day using a finger brush or soft-bristle baby toothbrush. Of course, you also want to pick a toothpaste that is formulated for babies of this age, like Orajel Baby Tooth & Gum Cleanser, which is gentle and effective (but still safe if swallowed).
Next up: the first trip to the dentist. This can be a big moment for kids and parents, so it’s important to get your kids excited about it and prepared for the experience (that way they won’t be scared). You should book your child’s first dentist appointment before their first birthday. In order to make sure their first dentist visit goes smoothly, you should start teaching your child how to brush their teeth with Orajel Kids Fluoride Free Training Toothpaste at 3+ months.
Finally, make sure you always practice good dental hygiene at home. In addition to modeling strong oral hygiene habits for your kids, you should limit sugary and acidic foods, eat healthy snacks, and be involved in their brushing routine every day. Want to make sure your kids are excited about brushing? Parents in a recent Mom.com survey said that using oral care products featuring some of their kids’ favorite characters helped get their kids excited about brushing. Orajel Kids Fluoride Toothpaste has really fun options for kids, including PAW Patrol, Shimmer & Shine, Jurassic Park, and more.
Oral care is so important — and a healthy oral hygiene routine begins in your child’s first few months!
