A vast majority of babies sprout their first few teeth when they are anywhere between 4 and 8-month-old. But Indian babies and their teeth are headed for a disastrous future. Or so says a recent study.
The All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reportedly spotted tooth decay in an 8-month-old baby. Yes, you read that right. At an age when babies get their teeth, an Indian baby has lost his because if decay.
Experts are also saying that more and more Indian babies are now suffering from tooth decay and it is hitting them as early as their fourth month.
Indian newborns diagnosed with tooth decay
Dr OP Kharbanda, head, Division of Orthodontics, AIIMS, New Delhi explained Mail Today, "We are witnessing more and more new-born babies - aged 6 to 8 months or above - being diagnosed with tooth decay. This is really shocking. An increasing number of toddlers are also coming up with dental problems."
He added that one of the primary reasons for early tooth decay in babies is the unhygienic practice of feeding. Many mothers do not wash the baby's mouth after each feed and give them formula feeds that mostly contain large amounts of sugar.
Lack of dental care and sugary formula are culprits
"Sugary drinks and formula milk are acidic in nature and in few years, it can result in childhood obesity too. Feeding milk through bottles is also a reason. Babies tend to sleep while drinking it, which leads to the formation of bacteria in their mouth," Dr Kharbanda shared.
Experts also suggest that new mothers must take dental care of their babies seriously.
We spoke to Dr. Dilip Deshpande, Mumbai-based renowned dental specialist who explained that in addition to lack of proper cleaning and sugary diets the other reasons for tooth decay could be, "Accumulation of plaque, cavities, dry mouth, improper nutrition, deep teeth crevices, and even tooth grinding."
Now the crucial question is how do you clean your baby's mouth? Well, here's a lowdown on the simplest way to go about it.
How to clean your baby's teeth
Your baby's mouth is extremely sensitive and so are their new teeth. So in order to maintain proper dental hygiene you need to start from quite early on- when they still haven't sprouted teeth.
- Remember to clean your baby's mouth after each feed with a wet cotton handkerchief or towel. Simple wrap the wash cloth in your clean finger and gently put the finger in his mouth. Your baby may initially try to resist it, but be patient and do not give up.
- Your baby may even try to bite your finger as his/her natural reflex, but don't be alarmed and swirl the finger around the mouth and scrub the gums and the tongue with it.
- If your baby has sprouted teeth, you can also use a baby toothbrush or a rubber massager to clean his mouth. Repeat the process daily and your baby will also get used to oral and dental hygiene and will soon pick up a toothbrush himself.
For an easy step-by-step process watch this video to understand how to clean your baby's teeth.
Read: Poor dental care during pregnancy can lead to premature babies
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[All images courtesy: Pixabay, Wikicommons]
