Overview

• Your baby's primary teeth may be only a temporary tool for chomping, to be replaced during the early school years by his permanent pearls. But it's no less important to take good care of them now and to establish the habits that will lead him toward a lifetime of dental health. Decayed or lost baby teeth can interfere with good nutrition and speech development, and by not holding a proper place for permanent teeth, they can make the permanent ones come in crooked.
  

Should I brush my baby's gums?

Pediatric dentists recommend cleaning baby's gums after feedings, which helps fight bacterial growth and promotes good oral health, long before baby's first teeth start to appear. Rather than cleaning baby's gums with a toothbrush, try a soft, damp cloth, or even a soft rubber or silicone finger brush, both gentle options with a nubby texture babies tend to love.