Do You Need To Clean Your Baby’s Gums?

Paying attention to oral care from an early age can make all the difference in a person’s oral health. That’s why it’s so important to clean your baby’s gums from birth.

With this simple practice, your little one will include cleaning the oral cavity as part of their routine body care. When their teeth continue to grow, brushing will not be new or unfamiliar. So it will be easier to keep teeth healthy.

In addition , cleaning babies’ gums reduces the risk of tooth decay and relieves the discomfort of teething. Here we will tell you everything you need to know about this habit that is so beneficial when it comes to the health of our children.

Your baby’s gums

The mouth of babies is a very important structure for their development. In the first months of life, children discover the world through the oral cavity and the sensations they experience through it. This is why they are so inclined to put everything they find in their mouths.

A baby’s gums play a very important role in exploring and while feeding. When they are breastfed, the gums interact with the tongue, which through its movements makes it possible to extract the breast milk and then swallow it.

In the mouth of the newborn we can observe the gingiva or the gums of the baby. This is pale pink mucous membrane that covers the bone on which the teeth will grow. Some areas may even be bumpy due to the presence of germs from the future teeth already underneath.

Some children may have small yellowish-white formations on their gums. These are Bohn’s nodules. It is a harmless change where remnants of embryonic glandular tissue persist and disappear on their own over time.

The teeth will eventually appear on these structures. For all these reasons, care and attention to this part of the body as soon as possible is essential.

Cleaning baby’s gums from birth

It is very important to clean your baby’s gums as early as possible. Here are some of the benefits of incorporating this practice into your child’s care routine early on:

• Disease Prevention: Removing milk residue and bacteria that have accumulated on the tongue and gums reduces the risk of tooth decay in the baby teeth as they erupt.
• Build the habit: Getting children used to taking care of their mouths from the start will avoid any difficulties or resistance that may arise when introducing brushing later. The child gets used to cleaning the oral cavity as part of their daily routine and enjoys the pleasant feeling of a clean mouth.

• Massaging the gums: while cleaning the gums, a pleasant massage is created in the mouth. This feeling can relieve the discomfort that irritates little ones when their baby teeth come through.

How to clean your baby’s gums without causing any problems

It can be overwhelming for parents to clean such a small mouth. However, with patience, willpower and a little practice it is possible and not that complicated. Here’s how to do it the right way.

The only supplies needed are warm water and some gauze or clean washcloths. First, the adult who will be performing the task should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Then they have to put the baby on their lap and hold the head with one of their hands. With the other hand, roll the clean gauze around the index finger and wet it with the warm water.

Gently open the baby’s mouth and rub the cloth over the gums in gentle circular motions. The tongue and the inside of the cheeks should also be cleaned.

Some parents find it easier to perform this task by using special brushes in the shape of a thimble. You simply stick your finger in the thimble. Because they have soft silicone bristles, the gums can be massaged and cleaned.

When the first tooth appears in the mouth, it’s time to make the switch to using a toothbrush. It should be small and soft to clean the teeth in the mouth. The rest of the oral structures can be gently cleaned with the brush, silicone thimbles or gauze.

Also when the teeth appear, toothpaste can be used in minimal amounts (the size of a grain of rice). Always follow the instructions of your child’s pediatrician.

Some tricks to clean your baby’s gums

Cleaning babies’ gums can be an unpleasant moment for some children. Adults should not become alarmed or irritated. Guiding them with affection, motivating and helping them to enjoy the routine is very important to ensure that they gradually adopt this habit.

Here are some tips that may be helpful to make cleaning your baby’s gums more enjoyable:

• Songs: Singing a soothing song to calm the child or a special song about cleaning the mouth can make the moment more enjoyable.

• Give the example: having an adult brush their own teeth at the same time as the child is a good way to show the little one the importance of oral hygiene.
• Take advantage of bath time: Cleaning your mouth during or after a relaxing bath can be a good idea. The child will feel better and it will be part of the body care routine.
• Take turns brushing: With older children, you can take turns brushing their mouths. First, the child is given a brush so that they can practice cleaning and then the adult finishes the cleaning.

Parents who take care of their children’s mouths

Now you know you don’t have to wait for your little one’s teeth to come through before grooming them. Cleaning your baby’s gums prevents oral complications. So it is very important to start as soon as possible.

Taking care of children’s oral health is vital when it comes to ensuring a healthy smile in the future. With responsibility, patience and lots of love, any parent can do it.