Bringing up a child is like learning the chapter called ‘life’ all over again. Every small little thing must be given a lot of importance so as to ensure immaculate growth for your little one. Your toddler’s teeth are another such domain that needs your attention. tooth decay is actually the most common disease amongst infants. Non-stop drinking/nibbling of sugary liquids is one major cause for the same. Save your kid’s smile with these healthy habits.

MAINTAIN HYGIENE
A newborn child’s mouth is essentially sterile unless the caregiver, the mother, introduces bacteria. Thus, it is very essential to not share your things, such as cups, spoons and other utensils, with your infant. Also, brush and floss regularly to purge your own mouth of bacteria. Usually infants have an immune system which is not fully developed, hence they may not be able to cope up with infections as well as adults, and hence we should take care of the child’s hygiene.

START DENTAL CARE EARLY
It will take some time before your infant can learn to brush on his own. But in the meanwhile you will have to work extra hard to maintain his mouth as well as you maintain his body. Use a clean, soft cloth to gently wipe off your baby's gums with a fluoride-free gum cleanser. Fluoride based products should be avoided till the age of 4. This must be done after each feeding or at least twice a day. This early teeth-cleaning habit will go a long way in preventing your child from having frequent dental issues. Also, massaging the baby’s gums with a delicate finger eases his discomfort while teething.

BRUSH FROM THE START
As soon as the first tooth appears, you must make a dash to the pharmacy nearby and bring back a soft toothbrush recommended for infants. Flossing starts when your baby has two teeth side by side. Make sure not to injure the gums of your child while flossing. Brushing should be scheduled for at least twice a day. Brushing at night before going to bed is extremely important to prevent cavities. First moisten the bristles of the brush to ensure that they don’t poke your baby. You must brush around each of your infant’s tooth with a small circular motion, using a natural toothpaste such as Dabur Babool, especially recommended for kids. Hit the gum line while brushing to tackle the bacteria but do so gently so that you do not scratch the gums or harm the enamel.

LIMIT SWEET DRINKS
Does your toddler constantly carry a bottle of milk or juice and go to bed sucking on the same? Even though it is hard to believe, even these basic drinks lead to cavities in little children. Talk to your dentist to suggest alternative options. Apart from meal times, try and give your baby just plain water to soothe his nerves, instead of his bottle of milk.

INTRODUCE THE DENTIST AT AGE 6 months
As a conscious parent, you must visit the dentist with your kid as soon as your kid’s first few teeth arrive. Tooth decay usually starts on the backs of the front teeth, and that too very early on. To avoid unnecessary complications, make sure his pearly whites are all in a good shape. Maintain proper oral hygiene and choose the right toothpaste to keep all dental problems away & ensure proper dental care.