Start Early: Dr. Kami Hoss on Dental Care for Babies

If your baby's drooling and suddenly want to put everything they pick up in their mouth, your baby's first tooth is probably about to appear. So while it's important to focus on easing your baby's gum pain and keeping them comfortable while teething, it's also important to start caring for those little teeth, points out super dentist Dr. Kami Hoss.

A baby's teeth can get cavities, and children with baby teeth cavities are more likely to get cavities when their permanent teeth come in. So it's very important to start your baby's oral care routine early.

How do you do that? Dr. Kami Hoss has some valuable tips on caring for your baby's teeth.

A bacteria called Streptococcus mutans is one of the reasons some kids are more prone to developing cavities. It creates acid that dissolves the protective enamel on teeth and is the main culprit behind tooth decay.

Babies aren't born with bacteria in their mouths, but research has shown that they can acquire it through the saliva of their parent or caregiver. According to dental experts, kissing a baby on the lips or sharing a spoon can cause a child to acquire Streptococcus mutans. And the more bacteria in the adult's mouth, the more bacteria the baby will get. Regarding dental care, Dr. Kami Hoss says that parents or any other adults should not share eating utensils with babies or use their mouths to clean off a pacifier.

Feeding habits can also contribute to the health of a baby's teeth. Some babies who fall asleep with a bottle of milk in their mouth or with a pacifier dipped in sugar may get tooth decay. It is because sugar collects around the teeth while they're sleeping and feeds the bacteria.

So, what else can parents do for their infant's oral health? Dr. Kami Hoss notes to start brushing once a baby's first tooth comes in. Use a small, soft bristle toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste, and gently brush their teeth. Infants should also start going to the dentist six months after their first tooth erupts.

Make oral care your top priority. Learn more about the importance of proper oral hygiene by reading these posts from super dentist Dr. Kami Hoss.