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What kind of toothpaste is best for my baby? Fluroride, the active ingredient in toothpaste, helps prevent tooth decay. Too much of it, though, can be harmful. When choosing a toothpaste, check the packaging for fluoride levels: Under-threes should use a lower-fluoride toothpaste. This is one containing about 1000ppm (parts per million) of fluoride. Over-threes can use an ordinary toothpaste, provided it contains no more than between 1350ppm and 1500ppm of fluoride. Use the recommended small amounts and encourage spitting out as your baby grows. If you follow these guidelines, lower fluoride and ordinary toothpastes are safe to use even in areas where fluoride has been added to the water. Swallowing large amounts of fluoride can damage teeth, giving them a mottled effect, and may even cause vomiting and diarrhoea . You may like to choose a toothpaste that doesn't have a tasty, fruity flavour because of this, so your child knows that toothpastes aren't food. If you can't stop your baby swallowing toothpaste, then switch to a brand that contains 550ppm of fluoride or less. Which toothbrush should I buy for baby? At first, you may find it easier to clean your baby's teeth using a piece of clean gauze or muslin. Wrap it around your finger, put a tiny smear of toothpaste on it, and rub around your baby's teeth. If you'd rather use a brush, pick one with soft, round-ended bristles of differing lengths, and a small, angled head. This will allow you to reach all parts of your baby's mouth easily and comfortably. Look at the packaging to see what age range the brush is designed for. Replace your baby's toothbrush after three months, or sooner if the bristles have started to spread out. Here are a few tips to relieve your baby's teething pain : Teething rings. Let your baby chew on a clean, cool teething ring or cold washcloth. Just avoid giving your child anything that is small enough to choke on. Also avoid a teething ring with liquid inside that could break open. Gum rubbing. Rub your baby's gums with a clean finger. Pain relief. Give your baby Tylenol (acetaminophen ) occasionally to relieve pain -- but ask your pediatrician first. Never give your child aspirin . It has been linked with a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome in children. If your baby is unusually irritable or inconsolable, call your pediatrician. Preventing Cavities In addition to caring for baby teeth, you need to protect them. To prevent cavities , only fill your baby's bottle with: formula breast milk water Avoid giving your child fruit juices, sodas, and other sugary drinks. Sweet drinks -- even milk -- can settle on the teeth. This can lead to baby tooth decay -- also known as "baby bottle tooth decay." Bacteria feed on the sugar from sweet drinks and produce acid, which attacks your baby's teeth. ISMILE shanghai dental is specialized in tooth cosmetic, implantation, teeth checking and so forth. For more detailed info, please contact us.
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