Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to communicate with them to help stimulate their learning.
Your baby has done his first teeth It's important to take care of them now! When it comes to dental hygiene, good habits must be adopted very early to avoid cavities and keep teeth healthy.
When to start?
Babies' first teeth usually appear around 6 months. From this point on, you can start instilling good habits in your little one: baby teeth are not immune to cavities! Morning and evening, gently wipe their gums with a warm, damp compress to clean the tooth.
Make it a habit to brush your teeth with your child present: this way you can show them the correct technique, and they will quickly want to imitate you. From 18 months, give them their own toothbrush and start using it together. Around two years old, you can add a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Of course, their dexterity will be limited at first, and they will probably just chew on their toothbrush… Let them do that, then gently finish by brushing yourself if they are willing to open their mouth: make small circular motions with the brush, paying particular attention to the area where the teeth emerge from the gums. If they refuse, it's best not to insist too much so as not to discourage them: instead, offer to help them again the next day.
You will probably need to help him until he is 5 or 6 years old, the age at which children are able to brush their teeth properly on their own. Get him into the habit of brushing his teeth at least twice a day, after breakfast and before bed, as early as possible: a good habit he will keep for life.
The right equipment to get started
Your baby's gums and teeth are very delicate. To avoid irritating them, choose a small toothbrush with soft bristles, specially designed for children under 3 years old. There are many models available, often featuring children's favorite characters: an extra incentive to use it! Remember to replace it at least every 3 months, and more often if the bristles are worn.
When it comes to toothpaste, choose one that's age-appropriate: formulas for young children contain less fluoride than adult toothpastes. Avoid minty flavors, which often make children grimace… Opt instead for fruity flavors: strawberry and raspberry are always popular, sometimes even tempting little ones to eat them. If your child swallows their toothpaste instead of spitting it out, don't worry: it poses no health risk.
Good habits for healthy teeth
Baby teeth have a thinner outer layer of enamel than adult teeth. They are therefore more vulnerable to cavities, which worsen rapidly once established and require prompt treatment. To maintain healthy teeth, regular brushing is essential, but not enough. Also, give them... good eating habits To your child: limit their sugar intake, and especially avoid sugary drinks. The bottle of milk or fruit juice that accompanies bedtime is a harmful habit for teeth and should be stopped as soon as possible. In the evening, after brushing teeth, nothing should be consumed except water!
