Patient's question:
My baby is almost two weeks old now and has started eating many things. It seems there is a layer of something like tartar on his teeth. I want to ask when should I start brushing his teeth? Before he can brush his teeth himself, how should I protect his teeth?Doctor's answer:
When the 20 baby teeth have fully erupted, it's time to start learning how to brush your teeth. Brushing should be done using the vertical brushing method, removing dirty substances from between the teeth, brushing the gumline, and brushing from top to bottom for the upper teeth and from bottom to top for the lower teeth. Choose a children's toothbrush with two rows of bristles, each row with 4 to 6 bristles, and a softer bristle. After each use, shake off the water, place the bristles upright, and let it air dry in a well-ventilated area to prevent bacteria from growing on the damp bristles. Brush your teeth twice a day, especially in the evening, to avoid residual food fermenting and producing acid due to bacterial action at night, which can erode the tooth surface.