I just found my baby’s first tooth?

My daughter is 5 months old and she already has her first tooth. What’s the best way to take care of her teeth at this young age?

Thanks, Danielle

Dear Danielle,

Using a clean 2×2 gauze will do the job for now, however when more teeth come in we recommend finding a small angled brush that has very soft bristles. It is ok to use a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride however find a paste that has no more than 1000 parts per million of fluoride. Too much fluoride can make one sick if swallowed. Babies do not know how to spit, therefore keeping the fluoride content down until she is about three is recommended. Clean her teeth twice a day and making it a routine will help her establish good oral hygiene habits as she grows. When she reaches the age of three it is a good idea to start taking her to a pediatric dentist for her routine cleanings.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Sherwood Dental Care.