Every parent knows the importance of keeping their child's teeth clean. Regular brushing and flossing is key to your child's oral health. But what about before he or she has teeth? Did you know that it is just as important to keep your child's mouth clean even before his or her teeth erupt? Fortunately, it is fairly simple to keep an infant's gums clean.
Why Keep the Gums Clean?
Some parents don't understand why they need to keep their infant's gums clean before there are any teeth present. The same bacteria that live in your mouth when you have teeth also live there prior to the teeth coming in. By keeping the levels of the bacteria at bay, you can help create a healthy environment for those teeth when they do come in.
Regular Cleaning of the Gum Tissue
The good news is that it's very easy to help keep your infant's gums clean. Simply use moistened gauze, or even a damp and clean washcloth. Gently open your child's mouth and wipe down the gum tissue. You will probably want to use your pointer finger to guide the material around the gumline and under the tongue.
You should repeat this process a few times a day, especially after your child has eaten and before he or she goes to sleep. Doing this will wipe away excessive levels of bacteria and help your child's mouth to stay clean and healthy. Otherwise, bacteria may end up clinging to the gum tissue and causing problems for the teeth as they begin to come in.
If you have any questions about helping to keep your child's gums clean, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help you, and we look forward to a phone call or email from you.
Every parent knows the importance of keeping their child's teeth clean. Regular brushing and flossing is key to your child's oral health. But what about before he or she has teeth? Did you know that it is just as important to keep your child's mouth clean even before his or her teeth erupt? Fortunately, it is fairly simple to keep an infant's gums clean.