Mellow Yellow Monday #1: Kai's First Toothbrush

This is my first time to join the Mellow Yellow Monday meme. I found out about this from my friend, Ate Anne. I decided to join because it looks fun!!

Enjoy my first entry...

Our son, Skyler started teething at 6 months but the first tooth didn't show up till he was almost 7 months old. And now that he's got almost 4 teeth, as parents, one of our many responsibilities is, to make sure they get cleaned at least twice a day - morning and before bedtime. We just started training him so we really don't do the twice-a-day-cleaning right now. His Dad got him a toothpaste as well, but I am not using it, yet. I'll start when he's comfortable using his toothbrush and he can at least take its taste. He can be picky sometimes. When he doesn't like something, he won't take it no matter what you try to do to make him. Period. It's even always a battle between me and him every day when it comes to his vitamins. He simply doesn't like the taste.

The first time I tried brushing his teeth, his upper gum bled a little bit. I felt so bad! But, I guess it was from him trying to block my hand and turning his head to get away from it. He doesn't want anybody touching his gum right now, probably because it's still sensitive due to his teething. I'm just glad that he's already starting to get comfortable with it. He still gets a little "hardheaded" when it's 'brush time', but I am more than determined to not let him get his way and instill this habit or else he'll grow up not giving any importance in oral care.

Keeping your baby's teeth clean is more important than you may realize. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth and are more vulnerable to the bacteria that cause decay. Decay in a baby's tooth is swift and destructive; it quickly penetrates the enamel, then the dentin, and then infects the nerve.

Baby teeth eventually fall out, so why should it matter if they are lost early? Most dentists believe that baby teeth should remain in the mouth as long as possible, to serve as placeholders for the adult tooth that will follow. When baby teeth are lost early, the surrounding teeth often tilt and move toward the empty space. This can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked.