Did you know there are different ways you should take care of an infant’s smile compared to taking care of a toddler’s smile? Well, it’s true. Each stage of life has different requirements for oral care. To help you properly care for your infant and toddler’s smiles, our dentist, Dr. Paul Vartabedian, has some information he would like to share with you.
Infant oral hygiene
When cleaning an infant’s smile, you need to care for their gums when they don’t have teeth yet. You can do so by rubbing the gums clean with a wet washcloth after each feeding. When your infant’s first little chompers grow into place, start brushing them twice a day with a child-sized toothbrush and water.
Toddler oral hygiene
When cleaning your toddler’s smile, make sure to use a soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrush. If your toddler is 2 years old or older, you can use fluoride toothpaste. However, you only need to spread a rice-sized amount over the bristles. Make sure to clean their teeth twice a day as well as floss their teeth once a day.
If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about infant or toddler oral hygiene in Lakeport, California, please reach out to Paul Vartabedian, DDS at 707-263-1496. Our dental team is more than happy to help you!
