Question
How can children develop good oral hygiene habits to prevent cavities?
Answer
It’s important to start fostering oral hygiene habits in children before they begin talking. Firstly, parents should use a sanitized cloth wrapped around their fingers to clean the baby’s teeth with physiological salt water or distilled water as soon as the first tooth appears, doing this twice a day, in the morning and evening. Additionally, avoid letting the baby fall asleep with a bottle or sugary drinks, instead giving them warm water before bedtime. Remember to wipe the baby’s teeth after each feeding. If the baby has the habit of chewing food after meals, try gently guiding them to change this behavior, such as providing them with water or mouthwash after meals, so they can learn to clean their mouth themselves.