Oral Care for Newborns from 0 to 2 Months

Is oral care for newborns important?

New to tending for your little one and wondering if oral care for newborns is important? The answer is yes, even though it might sound silly, seeing as they might not have teeth yet. Establishing a care routine even before those adorable first teeth appear can protect their delicate gums by keeping harmful bacteria away. Additionally, this healthy habit can help them get used to maintaining their beautiful teeth in the future. Gentle dental care routines for the baby can begin almost immediately after birth. Especially after breastfeeding sessions to ensure that their gums are free from milk residue. This task may seem daunting and unfamiliar, but don’t worry, this guide will break it down step by step for you.

Newborn teeth development

At birth, your newborn actually already has a full set of 20 baby teeth hidden in their gums, with ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower jaw. The emergence of these teeth varies in each child. For most infants, these teeth begin growing between 6 and 10 months of age; some may start as early as 3 months, while others don't grow until their first birthday. In rare cases, some babies are even born with 1-2 teeth already visible. By the age of three, most children will have all twenty of their baby teeth. Though these first teeth can appear in different orders, the lower front teeth (bottom central incisors) are often the first to break through the gums. This natural process involves the gum tissue gradually opening to reveal each new healthy tooth.

How to do oral care for baby teeth

When doing oral care for your newborn, be gentle. Their gums are still delicate, and the cleaning process needs to be done gently to avoid harming them. To help maintain oral care, here are a few things parents can do:

• Daily care of their mouth

  • When cleaning your newborn's mouth, always use a clean, soft washcloth or gauze dampened with plain water. 

  • Use gentle and small circular motions on their gums to effectively remove any residue in the mouth that can cause bacteria to build up and cause infection or gum disease.

  • When your baby’s first teeth have started showing, you can use a small, soft infant toothbrush along with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste to brush their teeth. Small amounts of fluoride help to prevent tooth decay.

  • Clean at least twice daily, particularly after each breastfeed and before bedtime.

• Clean the baby bottle

  • For bottle-feeding parents, besides doing oral care, ensure thorough cleaning of the bottle and bottle nipple after each use. 

• Maintain healthy habits

  • Try not to put your baby to bed with a milk bottle or pacifiers. When your baby is asleep, there’s less saliva in their mouth to protect their teeth. 

  • If your baby falls asleep with a bottle, milk might slowly drip into your baby’s mouth and soak their teeth, causing prolonged exposure to milk, which may result in gum problems.

• Limit sugar consumption

  • Avoid giving your child sugary drinks or dipping the pacifiers in sweet substances, as this can lead to bacteria growth and increase the risk of tooth decay.

• Keep an eye for early teething

  • The first baby teeth usually grow when they're at least 6 months old, but some infants may start teething earlier. If parents notice signs of early teething, such as drooling or gum swelling, it’s important to maintain oral care to keep bacteria away.

• Early dental visits

  • The Singapore Dental Association recommends that parents bring their child to the dentist by their first birthday, or within 6 months of their first tooth coming up.

  • This early visit helps establish a dental home where the baby can know their health care provider and feel comfortable receiving care from them. 

  • At Thomson Dental Centre, our experienced paediatric dentists will take care of your newborns, so they have good oral health and are ready to welcome their baby teeth. 

What are the challenges of doing oral care for newborns?

If you're finding it tricky to care for your little one's mouth, you're not alone. Many parents tell us they feel uncertain or nervous, especially in those early months. Here's what you might experience:

• Your infant won't open their mouth

  • Since infants do not yet understand the concept of oral care, parents need to be patient and gentle. Try placing your finger near your baby's mouth as if you are about to feed them; they'll naturally open their mouths. 

  • Parents can also try softly stroking their cheeks to encourage them to open their mouth.

• Getting bitten

  • If your child bites when cleaning their mouth, simply pause briefly and try again. Continue to clean gently, and your baby will widen their mouth again.

• Difficulties reaching the gums at the back of the mouth

  • You can slip your clean finger along the inside of your baby's cheek until you reach the back gums. Then, carefully position your finger between the upper and lower gums.

  • Your baby will naturally widen his/her mouth, so it’s easier to wipe the gums at the back.

• Deciding when to wipe the baby's mouth

  • Since newborns don't have regular feeding times, it is difficult for parents to decide when to clean their mouths. To establish a routine, parents may choose a specific time each evening to gently wipe their baby's mouth.

FAQ

When should I start oral care for my baby?

Start oral care almost immediately after birth. Even if your newborn doesn't have visible teeth, early oral hygiene helps establish good habits and keeps their mouth clean.

Do newborns need their gums cleaned?

Yes, cleaning your newborns' gums is important for maintaining oral health and preventing bacterial buildup that could lead to infections or gum disease. You should clean their gums to remove any milk residue after each breastfeed.

What are the oral restrictions for newborns?

Parents should implement the following restrictions to keep the baby's mouth healthy, such as:

• Putting baby to bed with a bottle

• Giving sugary drinks

• Dipping pacifiers in sweet substances

• Letting drool pool in the baby's mouth

What if I don't brush my baby's teeth?

Neglecting oral care could lead to future gum issues and make it harder to establish good dental habits. Additionally, if the healthy habits aren't established, new baby teeth are at risk of decay and other problems.

When should a baby start visiting the dentist?

Parents should bring their little hero to the dentist by their first birthday, or within 6 months of their first tooth coming up. This early visit helps establish a dental home where the baby can know their health care provider and feel comfortable receiving care from them.

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, please request an appointment with Thomson Dental Centre today.