Caring for new teeth: Do's and don'ts

13:10 (GMT+2), Wed, 20 July 2011

If your baby has taken certain antibiotics quite often, his teeth are more at risk of tooth decay and you should take special care.
If there is poor dental health in the family, also go the extra mile. For instance, avoid sweet and savoury 'treats' and increase fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet to ensure that the necessary minerals are supplied in abundance.
Do not give too many fruit juices and dilute them with at least 60% water. Avoid adding sugar to drinks or giving your baby sweetened beverages, as these are exceptionally detrimental to dental health.
Preferably don't allow your baby to constantly suck on a bottle, which could 'irrigate' the teeth with either milk or juice. Some babies do this because they actually need more emotional nurturing. Get a second opinion if you're unsure.
If your baby protests a lot at the thought of brushing his teeth, you can wait for him to fall asleep and after 10 minutes or so, when his mouth muscles are usually quite relaxed, give his teeth a quick clean with a flannel or gauze swab.
It's good to visit a dentist for the first time quite early on, simply to acquaint your baby with the experience, or once there are about eight teeth, or you notice any problems, which quite often occur between 12 and 18 months. Chances are everything will be fine, but if your baby has had certain medications or beverages and his diet has affected his dental health, your dentist will be able to tell you how to avoid or rectify early problems.
Choose a dentist with a reputation for being good with little ones. Be confident and don't make a fuss, so you don't make your baby anxious in turn. It's quite a good idea to let the dentist work on your teeth initially, so you can determine his or her approach.