Brushing Up on Gum Brushing
Expectant parents learn about many baby-related care tasks as they prepare to welcome their little one home.
From feeding preparation to first baths, there is much to learn about! But one aspect of newborn care that I often see missed or overlooked - even by experienced parents - is gum brushing.
The Importance of Gum Brushing
Most parents know that they will need to brush their baby’s teeth but until their first teeth erupt, their oral health is often overlooked. Gum brushing is an essential part of your child’s future dental hygiene habits and health!
Gum brushing provides protection against future dental caries, and cavity-causing bacteria, and develops healthy dental hygiene habits from an early age. Caring for your newborns’ gums is caring for their future teeth! Their baby teeth are under their gums until they erupt and the placement and health of those baby teeth are factors that affect their adult teeth’ health.
Both formula and breastmilk contain sugars that can linger in the mouth that bacteria thrive on. Allowing babies to sleep with bottles (which is against safe sleep guidelines) can increase their risk of nursing caries or bottle rot, aka tooth decay. Brushing their gums removes the leftover milk that may linger.
As a parent, another factor to consider is your own oral health. Outside of your own oral hygiene habits, many people simply carry cavity-causing bacteria. It’s important to be aware of this since it is easy to share these bacteria with your baby by sharing items that have come in contact with your own saliva. Parents may innocently use their baby’s spoon when introducing food or use their mouth to “clean” off a pacifier. These acts, unfortunately, increase the risk of sharing dental caries-causing bacteria.
The American Dental Association also recommends your child have their first dental appointment when their first teeth erupt or by the end of the first year.
Newborn Hygiene Health Practices
Shortly after birth, it is recommended to begin gum brushing using a moistened washcloth or gauze (and wash your own hands thoroughly!). Brushing their gums once in the morning after their ‘breakfast’ bottle and after their ‘bedtime’ bottle is a great way to clean their gums and build a habit.
I also recommend parents choose a time when their baby is calm and content. Gum brushing can be a positive routine that helps them know their day is starting and ending.
To brush their gums, first, begin by washing your hands thoroughly and getting a washcloth or gauze moistened with clean water. The gauze or washcloth should be able to wrap around your finger in entirety and you can use the other fingers to hold it in place. Cradle your baby in your arm, have them lay upright in your lap, or on a flat surface – whatever is most comfortable for each of you! Using your finger wrapped in the cloth, encourage your baby to open their mouth by rubbing their lips or from nose to lip like you would with their bottle or your nipple. Gently wipe their gums (tops and bottoms, all sides). Be sure to keep a calm and positive attitude during this routine.
I also like to sing a song to make this activity more enjoyable! This is to the tune of “Row, row, row your boat”
“Brush, brush, brush your gums,
Brush the germs away,
Brush them till they’re nice and clean.
Brush them twice a day!”
This can be repeated as often as necessary until you’ve finished wiping their gums. Check out this video for a simple demonstration.
Resources
Baby Teeth - Mouth Healthy ADA
Healthy Habits - Mouth Healthy ADA
Tooth Decay with Baby Bottles - Mouth Healthy ADA
Brush Up on Oral Health Tips for Children’s Dental Health Month
When to Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth
Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Care
Caring for your baby’s gums and future oral development and health is simple and has lasting benefits. Gum health is teeth health! By starting the habit early after birth, you are developing a lifelong habit of healthy oral hygiene that can help protect their future toothy grins!
