Top 6 Tips for Healthy Teeth & Gums in Your Little One

August 2024

Written by: Dr. Ashley Lerman, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

Hi everyone! I’m Dr. Ashley Lerman, a mom, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and the founder of Firstgrin. After completing my pediatric dental degree at Columbia University, I noticed a significant lack of accessible and personalized oral health information for parents, especially concerning babies. Cavities are kids’ #1 chronic disease, and cavities in the baby teeth are linked to cavities in the adult teeth. A single cavity in the baby teeth triples your risk of cavities in the adult teeth. This observation sparked the creation of Firstgrin, a platform dedicated to empowering caregivers with comprehensive education, products, and support from pregnancy through early childhood.

At Firstgrin, our mission is to redefine dental care by integrating it with overall health. We understand that good oral health in mothers is crucial not just for their own well-being, but also for their children's health. Research shows that poor oral health during pregnancy can lead to complications such as preeclampsia and premature birth. Additionally, the presence of untreated cavities in baby teeth often translates to dental issues in adulthood. Therefore, establishing healthy oral habits early on is paramount.

How to keep your baby's teeth & gums healthy:

Teething Tips

Teething can begin as early as 3-4 months. To alleviate discomfort, try massaging gums with a frozen washcloth soaked in water, breastmilk, or formula. For more tips on managing teething, visit our teething tips.

Gum Massaging

Start massaging your baby's gums even before teeth appear. This helps desensitize the gums and prepares your child for brushing.

Introduce Open Cups

Around 6 months of age, introduce open or straw cups to promote proper oral development and hand-eye coordination. Open cups encourage a balanced oral muscle development that supports jaw growth.

Flossing Importance

Begin flossing as soon as teeth start to touch to prevent cavities between teeth. This is not age dependent. My son’s two bottom teeth came in touching at 6 months, so we started flossing then! Flossing is essential for removing food particles and plaque that brushing alone may miss.

Snacking Strategy

Limit snacking frequency to reduce acid exposure on teeth. After snacks, encourage your child to rinse their mouth with water to help neutralize acids and clean teeth. More frequent snacking is linked to higher chances of cavities since the teeth are constantly exposed to acids or sugars, so organized meals are important!

Pacifier and Thumb Sucking Weaning

Aim to wean your child off pacifiers by 18 months and latest around 3 years of age to support speech development and prevent dental issues associated with prolonged pacifier use.

At Firstgrin, we’ve developed a newborn oral care kit designed to nurture healthy teeth and habits from the very beginning. Our kit includes age-appropriate tools and practical information to guide parents in promoting lifelong oral health for their children. For more tips, educational resources, and to order your own newborn oral care kit, visit www.yourfirstgrin.com or find us on Instagram @firstgrin.

~ Dr. Ashley Lerman