If you have a toddler and an infant, then you need to remember to care for their smiles differently. There are certain things you need to do for each smile to keep their little teeth and gums in tip-top shape. To help you care for your infant and toddler’s smiles, our dentist, Dr. Andrea Mason, has some information for you.
Infant oral hygiene
When your infant has a toothless smile, you need to clean the gums after every meal with a clean, wet washcloth. After one or more teeth grow into place, brush them twice a day with a child-sized toothbrush (one that has soft bristles) and water. If you would like, you can brush with infant toothpaste that is OK to swallow and doesn’t contain fluoride.
Toddler oral hygiene
Clean your toddler’s little chompers and gums by brushing every morning and night and flossing once a day. As you help them brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. It’s important to know that you should only use fluoride toothpaste if your child is 2 years old and older and if they can avoid swallowing the paste. You can also use a toothbrush that has their favorite character on it to make oral hygiene a little more exciting.
Call Olympia Pediatric Dentistry today at 360-352-3515 if you have any questions or if you would like to know more. Our dental team is more than happy to tell you all about infant and toddler oral hygiene in Olympia, Washington. We look forward to hearing from you!