By Dr Laura Hunter-Shaw

As a mum of a now one year old and a dentist, I have realised that nobody really tells you how to start to care for your baby’s teeth - and how difficult it can be! Here are a few tips that I have learnt this year which have made things slightly easier for us!

*Start as Soon as Their First Tooth Arrives* - Decay can occur in a tooth as soon as it breaks through into the mouth. Brush twice a day, every day! It doesn't have to be for 2 minutes to start with, but getting a toothbrush with some toothpaste on it in the mouth is essential!

*Have a Routine* - Do it at the same points in the day, every day! Last thing before bed and in the morning (it doesn't really matter whether it's before breakfast or after breakfast but be consistent). We brush after breakfast, before we walk the dog and after his bedtime milk during a story.

*Get a Brush They Can Hold* - One with a chunky handle works great as they can grasp it better. If it is too fiddly they will just drop it and it makes getting them to engage more difficult!

*Start With a Children's Mild Mint Toothpaste* - Use a flat smear of fluoride toothpaste (with at least 1000ppm fluoride) until they are 3 years of age. Unfortunately older child/adult toothpastes are minty. If you always give your child a minty form of toothpaste they don't know any different and will be a lot less upset when they realise you can't get adult toothpaste in bubblegum flavour!

*Brush Your Teeth at The Same Time* - Baby's love to copy, if you are brushing your teeth, they are much more likely going to want to brush theirs! If they want to, let them have a go at brushing your teeth too - fair's fair!

*Sit on the Floor or a Chair Behind Them* - It's a much easier angle and as if you are brushing your own teeth. It is comfortable, you have much more control, it is safer if they try to throw their head back (we've all been there) and everyone is more stable!

*Persevere* - No baby likes having their teeth brushed initially. They cry, they scream, they wriggle. But all of a sudden one day they will just let you do it. It is much easier to have this argument when they can't run away, it's easier to hold them still and when they won't remember it! The quicker you make it a routine and normal, the easier you will find getting them to do it as they get older - I hope!!

All parents and guardians are advised to ensure that young children in their care are taken to see a dentist as soon as their first teeth come through, and before their first birthday so they become familiar with the experience. Their first visit might be to accompany you or someone else in the family for a routine appointment. If you are worried about going to the dentist, you might also like to ask your partner or a grandparent to attend. It is important that you are positive about your forthcoming visit so that your child does not become unduly anxious.

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t want to open their mouth on the first visit to the dentist. The important thing is they get used to being in a dental practice while you have time to ask the dental team for advice on caring for your child’s teeth. Your child should see a dentist regularly. Until their 18th birthday, we usually recommend they visit the dentist every 6 months to keep an eye on how their teeth are developing and any problems can be spotted early making treatment easier.

For more information about children’s dental care, please contact the practice on 01476 563181.