As a parent, you need to care for your baby at a various levels, such as, taking care to see they get the required nutrition with timely meals, caring for their physical hygiene and the hygiene of their surroundings and giving them a home that is warm and filled with love. Taking care of their developing teeth also is a very important part of your daily parental duties.

Caring for their oral hygiene should ideally begin even before the baby starts teething. Their gums are very tender and soft, so using your fingers is the best option. Make sure to trim your finger nails before doing so. Try gently massaging the baby’s gums with your finger after every feed. Alternately, if the baby is used to a bottle, you can make the baby sip on some warm water after a feed, this will help to rinse the mouth.

Once the baby starts teething, oral care becomes even more important. You can use a soft cloth with your index finger to lightly clean the teeth. Check with your doctor before using any toothpaste. Toothpaste should ideally be used only once the child is about 2 years old.

Once the child is about 2 years old and most teeth have started developing, use a toothbrush meant for infants with special toothpastes that your doctor approves and brush your child’s teeth yourself. It is natural for the child to swallow some toothpaste, as she/he is not old enough to understand the importance of spitting it out. This is one very important reason why you need to check with your doctor before using any toothpaste.

You now need to start teaching your child how to rinse their mouths. After meals take your child to the sink and demonstrate it for your kid. Try making this a game, let your child use the water cup and instead of swallowing make him/her spit out the water.

As the child gets used to the brushing activity every morning and evening, give him/her the toothbrush with very little toothpaste, obviously they are not going to brush, but you child chewing on the toothbrush will also help.

Make sure to visit the doctor for regular check ups.