{"id":87,"date":"2018-03-15T17:18:48","date_gmt":"2018-03-15T17:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coastalpediatricdentistry.net\/blog\/?p=87"},"modified":"2025-02-24T12:14:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T12:14:47","slug":"starting-good-oral-habits-child-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coastalpediatricdentistry.net\/blog\/2018\/03\/starting-good-oral-habits-child-early\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting Good Oral Habits With Your Child Early On"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FamilyAs with most things in life, the earlier your child begins to learn good habits for their oral health, the better. Parents often have many questions about their child\u2019s oral development such as: How early should I begin brushing my baby\u2019s teeth? When should their first visit to the pediatric dentist<\/a> be? Why are baby teeth so important? Here we\u2019ve compiled not only the answers to your questions, but also some helpful tips for building good habits early on.<\/p>\n

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Your Common Questions Answered<\/h2>\n

You should actually begin caring for your baby\u2019s oral health even before their first teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to wipe down their gums after feedings. This will remove any excess bacteria that is lingering in their mouth.<\/p>\n

Begin brushing their teeth as soon as they arrive. Use a small, soft bristled brush that is designed for infants. You can also use a training toothpaste that is safe to swallow if you choose to. Brushing their teeth early on helps them get used to the process, which makes it easier as they get older.<\/p>\n

Your baby should visit their pediatric dentist around the age of one year old. Early visits help them acclimate to the dental office and give the dentist an opportunity to evaluate their oral development.<\/p>\n

Many parents wonder why it\u2019s so important to care for baby teeth. After all, they\u2019re just going to fall out, right? Well, baby teeth actually have very important jobs such as holding a place for incoming adult teeth, and helping your baby learn to eat solid foods and form their first words. Baby teeth lost too early can affect your child\u2019s oral development.<\/p>\n

Helpful Tips for Parents<\/h2>\n

You can help your child develop good oral habits for a lifetime. Besides helping them brush and floss their teeth and taking them to the dentist, here are some other things you can do to make learning about oral health fun:<\/p>\n