Baby's Teeth and Gums - Your Guide to a Health Oral Hygiene Routine for your Baby 

There are many opinions on when you should begin introducing toothbrushes into your child’s oral care routine. Some experts recommend starting around the 6-month mark, others suggest waiting until they are eating solid foods. And still other dentists believe that it doesn't matter how early or late in life we introduce our children to dental hygiene practices; all babies need regular cleaning just like adults do!

In this article we are going to explore your options when it comes to your baby's dental hygiene.  We will provide you with a tip sheet or guide to use as a quick reference guide for the do's and do not's of your baby's oral health care.  

When Should You Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth? Everything You Need to Know

The first thing you need to know about when to start a child brushing your baby's teeth, is that there isn't one right time for this. The best way to approach it is with an open mind and some patience. Just because some moms have started brushing their baby's teeth in your social group, doesn't mean you should feel pressured to do the same. 

Brushing your baby's teeth may seem like a simple task but actually starting children off on good oral hygiene habits can be quite difficult. In fact, many parents find themselves wondering how long they should wait before introducing their kids to toothpaste or even giving them their own toothbrush.

We explore this very question in the following sections.  

When Should I Start Brushing My Baby's Teeth?

Okay - let's get right to it.  When should you start brushing your baby's teeth. 

The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that parents begin tooth brushing their babies at 6 months old, and continue until they are 2 years old or older. The AAP also suggests using a soft-bristled brush with small rounded bristles for this purpose.

But what about when you're not sure if it's time yet? Or maybe you've already started but want more information on how often to do so?

A good rule of thumb is to monitor your baby's gums as they begin to teeth. You'll know this is happening when your little one can't stop putting things in their mouth to massage their itchy gums. They will also become quite irritable and can often be in tears for no apparent reason. 

Once you see those cute little pearly whites coming through, you can begin the dental hygiene routine with your baby. 

In our books, there is no time that is too early to begin brushing your baby's teeth, as you will understand in the next section. 

When do you start brushing your baby's gums? And why should you? 

Now that you have the tooth (or teeth) under control, let's now turn our attention to your baby's gums and the oral hygiene involved. 

[insert quote] - you can begin brushing your baby's gums from as early as three months

In fact, the oral hygiene care for your baby's gums can begin BEFORE your baby's first tooth arrives. From the age of three months, you can begin the process of massaging and wiping clean your baby's gums with a soft damp face cloth. And depending on your schedule, this can be performed as often as twice a day - once in the morning and in the evening. 

In addition, there are benefits to beginning this oral routine from an early age.  When it comes to giving your bubs a toothbrush, the task of looking after their own teeth is no different from any other. 

What is a good dental hygiene routine for babies?

Now that you are familiar with the general rules for brushing your little one's pearly whites, the next natural question is how often should you be cleaning their teeth and gums? 

Fortunately we have put together a general dental routine for you to use.  Of course, this routine is only a guideline, and you can feel free to modify it to suit your needs and time restrictions.  After all, as our favorite motto goes at the Best Baby Care Tips team - every baby is different. 

Here is our recommended dental hygiene habits from when your baby sprouts their first tooth:

• using a soft toothbrush and some water to lubricate the bristles, brush your baby's tooth/teeth morning and night (preferably after a meal). No toothpaste is necessary, and we generally find the taste can be off-putting for the little one's pallet. 
• with a moist face cloth, wipe clean and massage your baby's gums.  This can actually be a playful activity with your baby, as they will most likely respond by trying to bite your finger. If they are teething they will also appreciate the gum massage as it will soothe and relieve the itch. 
• when your baby develops two teeth you can introduce your little one to a flossing routine. Much like you do with your own teeth, use a very fine (unflavored) piece of floss to gently clean in between your baby's two teeth. 
• don't allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle of milk (or any kind of drink) in their mouth.  Allowing your baby to fall asleep with liquids that contain sugar will decay their newly sprouted teeth and lead to discoloration and rot. 
• when your baby is thirsty allow them to drink water rather than fruit juice and bicarbonate drinks.  The sugars in sweetened drinks accelerates the decay of teeth and leaves them prone to cavities. 
• begin regular visits with a dentist that specializes in family health care and children's dental health from 6 months of age. Forming a good habit of visiting the dentist has many benefits. It allows your baby to become familiar with the dentist.  It will also help to identify any issues early so you can make any necessary corrections. 

What Is The Best Toothbrush For Babies?

The best toothbrushes for babies are soft, gentle and have a rounded tip that won't scratch their gums or tongue. 

All electric toothbrushes should be avoided at all costs.  Even though manufacturers are making eletric toothbrushes for babies and children, they should be avoided with caution.  The vigorous brushing action can potentially hurt and damage your baby's gums and soft teeth. 

Can babies use fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride toothpaste has been shown to reduce cavities, a problem seen especially in children. However, infants at the age of 6 months or younger should not use fluoride toothpaste because they lack the swallowing reflex and have a different flavor profile than adults. Instead, it is recommended that they use non-fluoride toothpaste that contains 1% of the active ingredient sodium fluoride. Older babies who are able to swallow may still need supervision while brushing their teeth so they don’t swallow any toothpaste.

Key Takeaways from "When Should I Start Brushing my Baby's Teeth?"

Oral health starts in infancy - well before your baby's first tooth appears. Baby teeth are important because they are the first set of teeth your child will have, and these teeth support healthy development of permanent teeth.

The best time to start brushing your infant’s teeth is when the first tooth shows up. You’ll want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and some water to begin.

To help you along your baby's oral health journey we have provided a visual guide  as a useful reference for the first year of your baby's dental hygiene routine. 

Let us know what problems you have encountered with your baby's teeth and we'll try to help you resolve the issues with the collective wisdom of our Best Baby Care community. 

What to do if Your Baby Rolls Over in Their Sleep - Don't Panic!

Rolling over is a major milestone in any baby’s development. It can be an exciting time for parents, however it can also raise some justified concerns. Rolling over means that the baby can now change positions during the night resulting in them sleeping on their side or tummy.

Rolling over while sleeping can be alarming for many parents.  Especially if it happens while your baby is sleeping on their tummy. This is because it can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

In this article we address the concerns many parents have with their baby rolling over in their sleep. We look at what it means now that your baby is now able to roll, and some actions you can take to discourage your little one from rolling over while they sleep. 

Baby Rolling Over in Sleep - Should I be Worried?

Rolling over is an important milestone for young babies.

It can be a curious stage of development for them.   It indicates that their bodies and muscles are developing. Rolling over is often a milestone that lets parents know that their little one is ready to start moving around and becoming mobile. This is a good thing. 

But what about when baby rolls over when they are sleeping? This can be a bit concerning during the initial stages when they may not have the necessary strength to push themselves back onto their sides or back onto their backs. 

However, during the later stages of development when they have learned how to roll back and forth and gained the core strength, letting your precious one sleep on their stomach becomes considerably less risky. 

In fact, some babies prefer to sleep on their stomachs.  They find it comforting and soothing, allowing them to get a better, more sound, sleep. 

What to Do if your Baby Rolls Over in their Sleep

Babies roll over in their sleep no matter how much you watch them. Don't worry, it's normal and nothing to be worried about.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if your baby starts rolling over:

• Make sure you're using a firm and flat crib mattress with no extra bedding or soft objects. This will ensure that your baby can't roll off the edge of the mattress or wrap themselves up in any loose sheets or blankets.
• Put something like a quilt under your baby's head for cushioning as they sleep. 
• Consider putting your baby on their back to sleep during naps and at night. If you want to try swaddling, make sure

What NOT to do when your baby begins to roll over in their sleep

Like we've said before...first thing NOT to do when you see your baby sleeping on their stomach is panic.  Check that they are breathing and then take one breath for yourself. When you panic, your body jumps into a fight or flight response and your thinking isn't as logical as normal.  Therefore, it is easy to jump to conclusions and accidentally wake your baby up from a restful sleep. 

You also need to fight your impulse to box your little onein with cushions surrounding them, so they cannot physically roll over.  This actually creates more of a hazard and is potentially harmful to your sleeping bubs. If a cushion accidentally falls on top of your baby's face, it could result in it smothering them resulting in suffocation.  Alternatively, if your baby is beginning to roll in their sleep, they may roll onto their side and push their face against a cushion - again resulting in suffocation. 

Baby Rolling Over in Sleep - How to Stop Them & Reduce the Risk

Earlier we touched on a few things you can do to stop your baby from rolling while asleep. Let's elaborate a bit more on the tips we mentioned earlier. 

• Teach them early - try to get your baby accustomed to sleeping on their backs.  Now we are well aware this advice may be coming too late in the piece for your current bubs who want to constantly roll onto their stomach, but you can store this in the back of your mind should you decide to have another baby later on.  Get your little one used to sleeping on their back when they are young - this way they won't know any other way. 
• Pacify your baby - babies often roll over because they are bored or frustrated when they are put down for sleep.  By soothing your baby with a pacifier while they drift off, you can often distract them long enough to allow them to sleep - resulting in them being less likely to fall asleep on their tummy. 
• Swaddles are your best friend - you may have used swaddles early on in your baby's sleeping routine for comfort reasons, or even to prevent them from scratching themselves.  However, here is another use for swaddling your baby.  Swaddles can be used to prevent them from pushing themselves over onto their stomachs.  A baby requires freedom to swing their body over in order to shift their center of gravity for a roll - swaddling prevents this. 
• Build their muscles - at Baby Care Tips we also recommend continuing to develop their muscles and bodies while they are awake - this allows them to be able to push themselves back onto their backs (or side) during sleep. To help new parents with exercises and tips for building your bubs muscles head over to our article Help Baby Roll Over.  

Key Takeaways from Baby Rolling Over In Sleep

We understand seeing your little bubs sleeping on their stomach can be an unnerving picture for any parent - however before you panic about your baby rolling over in sleep and decide to jump in and save them, there are some things you should consider. 

Depending on their age and stage of development, a baby sleeping on their stomach isn't necessarily as risky as it may seem. 

If your little one is strong enough to roll themselves back onto their side or back, it is quite possible that you should leave them be. 

However, if you are insistent on stopping them from sleeping on their tummies, there are a few things you can do. Things like swaddling, pacifying and helping them develop their bodies will lead to a safe sleeping environment for your baby. 

Let us know your opinion on babies that roll over in their sleep - what did you do?  Or maybe you did nothing. Leave us a comment below.