Elementary Guide to the Benefits of Using Waterpik on Infants

February 06, 2018, Langley Dental Practice

Even infants can have cavities that will require fillings. It’s never too early to start looking after your child’s teeth, and the best solution is by cleaning with a Waterpik.

A Waterpik will help to clean out the bacteria that can rest between the cracks and crannies of your teeth. A Waterpik is a type of water flosser. While it can’t replace a toothbrush or floss, it’s still a helpful tool in looking after your child’s teeth.

Infants feed several times a day, but it simply may not be feasible to brush their teeth each time. This is why a Waterpik would help, because it decreases the irritation to the gums, and can also make the process simpler and happier for both child and parent.

It may take some time for your boy or girl to get used to the feel of the Waterpik. Be patient, and never get angry with them. Treat the situation like fun time. Smile at them and pretend that it’s a game.

Before you do their teeth, clean your own first. Children are naturally curious about what you do. When you brush and floss your teeth, they’ll want theirs done too.

After a few times, your child will get used to the sonic brush. If there is a lower setting, use it on your child. If you use one that takes batteries, or is rechargeable, let the battery levels run low, and then use it on your child. This will provide less intensity and be much quieter when you use in it on them.

You’ll need to attach the smallest and softest brush that you can find. You may need to experiment with handles to find the best that will work.

It’s up to you if you use fluoridated toothpaste. If your city fluoridates its water you may not wish the double-dose.

Aim to use the Waterpik on their teeth about twice a day. You can use a regular brush in-between. It’s important to still use a brush, as that’s what will best remove the plaque that sticks to their gums, while the Waterpik will remove the debris that gets stuck in-between teeth and under the gum line.

If you have trouble trying to remember to take care of your infant’s teeth, it’s best to clean theirs when you do yours: after each meal. The last thing you want is to have your toddler have to undergo a bunch of new filings because their teeth are full of cavities.

Teeth need to last us from infancy into early childhood, then our adult teeth need to last us the rest of our lives. With good care, our beloved should never need a filling, a crown, or an implant. 

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