Why is brushing a baby's teeth so important?

Daily challenge: We all know how important regular dental care is. Cavities and discolored teeth not only look unpleasant, they can also be very painful. You want to spare your own child a trip to the dentist for as long as possible, but this often requires a lot of perseverance: some refuse to open their mouths from the start, others wriggle or bite the toothbrush, and most swallow the toothpaste straight away and therefore consider brushing finished.

Breast milk also contains sugar: Breast milk and formula contain lactose, which attacks the teeth. Commercial baby food is usually sweetened with fructose or fruit juice, and baby purées tend to stick to the little teeth and further damage the enamel.

Cavities remain in the tooth root: Is it really that bad if baby teeth have cavities—they fall out anyway? It's true that baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth during primary school, but cavities often also affect the tooth root from which the permanent teeth develop. That, so to speak, lays the foundation for carious permanent teeth.

Starting early helps: Even if it's stressful — the earlier you get your baby used to dental care, the more naturally brushing will become over time. Many babies are very curious and find it exciting to put things in their mouths. You can make use of this during brushing practice.

What parents can do for healthy baby teeth

Brushing the baby's teeth

• Healthy nutrition: Milk feeds, fruit and vegetables, cereal porridge as well as meat and fish should be on a baby's menu. Commercial baby food is perfectly fine, but you should make sure that no sugar is added — fructose, lactose and maltose are also types of sugar!

• Brush teeth twice a day: For babies the same applies as for adults: brush in the morning and in the evening. For the baby it doesn't have to be two minutes — regularity is more important than endurance at first.

• No sugary drinks: Pure apple juice contains about as much sugar as lemonade, even if it's fruit sugar. Babies should only drink heavily diluted fruit juice (juice-water 1:4); unsweetened tea and water are better.

• No bottle at bedtime: you should avoid using a bottle as a sleep ritual once the first teeth appear, because sucking keeps the teeth in contact with food for longer and the milk sugar can attack them overnight.

• Regular preventive visits to the dentist: Even when the first tooth appears, you can go to the dentist with your baby. It's less about preventive care and more about getting used to the dentist and the examination.

• Stay attentive: How susceptible children's teeth are is unfortunately partly hereditary. If the parents have problems with cavities, it's likely that the children will also develop cavities more quickly. That does not, of course, mean that brushing can be skipped if the parents have healthy teeth. Brushing and regular preventive dental care are essential.

Image credits

Baby laughs and shows teeth © mozhjeralena - stock.adobe.com