Is your baby coming up to teething?
If your baby is around 6 months old, it’s likely you'll see those little teeth starting to break through baby's gums. Their first teeth will probably be the ones at the front in the bottom gum, and be followed by the front teeth on the top gum.
During teething, most babies will get dribbly mouths, gnaw and chew EVERYTHING and maybe get a little bit cranky. You can see your pharmacist for teething gels or other cover-the-counter remedies if needed but most importantly, it’s time to start your little one’s oral health routine to look after those pearly whites!
Here are some tips on how to get started with looking after your little one's dental health:
🌟 Begin brushing as soon as you spot the first baby tooth breaking through the gums.
🌟 Brush twice a day – once before bed.
🌟 Use a soft, small-headed brush and make sure that you only use a smear of toothpaste.
Toddler time
Trying to train your wriggly toddler how to brush their teeth? Here are some tried-and-true tips from parents on how to keep those teeth and gums bright and healthy:
💛 Sit or stand behind your little one while you both face a mirror and reach around to help them brush their teeth (cos they WILL want to do it themselves! 😜).
💛 Use a smear of toothpaste on a soft, baby- or child-sized toothbrush and gently but thoroughly brush for two minutes. Replace the brush every few months, or when it looks worn out.
💛 Brush all sides of every tooth twice a day, morning and night (just before bed) for two minutes.
💛 Spitting the toothpaste out after brushing is great fun (although a bit messy! 😍) but no need to rinse the mouth with water afterward.
Preventing tooth decay
Did you know that 40 percent of Kiwi kids will have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten age? As well as encouraging drinking from a cup from around 6 months of age, don’t put a baby or toddler to bed with a bottle, as this can encourage tooth decay. Remember too, to check your baby’s mouth at least once a month for any signs of decay. You can do this by lifting their lip.
It’s also a good idea to enrol your baby at your local free Community Oral Health Service: 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).
Don't forget to pick up your QueenBee Pure Baby Manuka Honey Toothpaste with Spearmint! It's free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), oxybenzone, octinoxate, EDTAs, petrochemicals, microbeads, GMO ingredients, harsh chemicals, artificial colours and fragrances and animal cruelty.
Kiwi-made QueenBee Pure toothpaste is suitable for babies and kids of all ages. It was developed by mums in cooperation with an ethical and organic-certified local skincare manufacturers, is derived from plant-based ingredients and not tested on animals.
Sources:
Kids Health
NZ Dental Association