The Philippine Star

Trusted toothgel for the little ones

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Mommies have the faintest idea as to when their little angel’s first tooth will pop out. The

Instagram- worthy milestone can happen anytime. Some babies start teething at six months or even earlier, while some have been known to start growing teeth after their first birthday.

Regardless of when your baby’s first tooth comes out, it is generally advisable that the little one’s mouth be cleaned after every feeding. Wipe gums with a warm washcloth, a dampened piece of cloth or a finger brush — a thimble-like, soft rubbery device that fits over your index finger — to remove excess food.

Once his first teeth start coming in, however, they should be taken care of right away.

Many parents assume that baby teeth are not important because these will eventually be replaced by permanent ones.

Contrary to this common perception, however, milk teeth not only assist a baby in chewing food, these ensure the absorption of nutrients from food and aid in the baby’s speech developmen­t.

Parents must likewise be warned that neglecting the baby’s milk teeth can lead to a gum infection called gingivitis, which, in turn, could cause the uneven growth of permanent teeth.

And did you know that babies’ teeth can have cavities, too? The first signs of cavities are minor pitting and discolorat­ion. To help prevent these, avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle of milk or leaving them with their bottle for long periods of time.

Since teething in babies could go on for a year or more, or until the age of twoand-a-half years when their milk teeth are expected to be complete, how you take care of his milk teeth will greatly affect his long-term oral health.

Some parents may wonder: How can I take care of my baby’s milk teeth if these cannot be brushed with fluoride toothpaste until he turns two?

Wise mommies know the answer is as simple as it gets. The best way to prevent cavities, bacterial growth and gum infection in babies is to use a baby-friendly infant toothgel, such as Hapee Baby Infant Toothgel, for ages four to 24 months. Hapee Baby has no added Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), the chemical responsibl­e for the foaming action in toothpaste.

Furthermor­e, Hapee Baby has no sugar or artificial colors, helping in teaching babies that toothgels and toothpaste­s are not edible.

Still, Hapee Baby comes in a Strawberry Milkshake flavor, making brushing a fun and enjoyable experience for your baby.

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