By Elaine Stillerman, LMT
Proper dental care should start as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears. By starting her early on a regular dental routine you will help prevent tooth decay that can lead to serious problems such as tooth loss and gum disease. You also help your child learn to speak correctly, eat well, guide her permanent teeth to come in correctly and make her look good.
The most important factors in tooth decay are the foods your baby eats, how often they eat these foods and how long the food stays on the teeth in or her mouth. Bacteria on the teeth eat away at the enamel, causing tooth decay. Even baby teeth can get cavities and cause gum infections.
Fruit juices, sweetened teas, soft drinks, cow’s milk and formula all contain sugars that can cause tooth decay if left in contact with the teeth for long periods of time, such as before a nap or bedtime. Even those infants who are breast-fed are not protected against tooth decay if the milk stays on the teeth for a long period of time. Bacteria use starches and sugars from foods and liquids to produce acids that erode the teeth. A baby that is constantly sipping from a bottle containing liquid other than water also runs the risk of tooth decay. Have your baby rinse her mouth by drinking plain water or brushing her teeth after a feeding.
By the time your toddler turns three, she should have all 20 of her baby teeth – 10 on the upper jaw and 10 on the lower jaw. When the teeth first start coming in, you can clean them with a wet washcloth or piece of gauze. You can also use dental cleaning swabs or dental wipes. At around 18 months, her back molars should be in and you can switch to a soft nylon bristle infant toothbrush. You don’t need any toothpaste just yet. Plain water does the trick. Remember to brush her tongue as well, to dislodge any cavity-producing bacteria that can cause bad breath. Change the toothbrush once the bristles start to look worn or flatten out.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 1 in 4 children in the United States have cavities by the time they are 4 years old, some as early as 2 years old. But getting those toddlers to brush isn’t always easy. As soon as she is able, or as soon as she can write her own name, let her brush her own teeth. For the fussy toddler, or for the child who has oral sensitivity, there are child-friendly products that can make the experience more fun. For instance, the Oral-B Kids Battery-Powered Toothbrush, or the AdvancePower™ 900 series provide ergonomic smooth handles and gentle vibration to make brushing fun. Cartoon character toothbrushes and flavored fluoride toothpastes also make the job more pleasant.
Brush your teeth with your child and check her mouth afterwards to make sure all teeth have been cleaned. This will also give you an opportunity to see how her gums are doing. A gentle gum massage is very pleasant for your child and can give you feedback about any gum swelling or tenderness.
Your child should see her pediatric dentist 6 months after the first tooth appears, or when she turns 1. In addition to the general exam and cleaning, this gives you the opportunity to ask important questions about your child’s oral health. Some of these questions might pertain to tooth development, teething issues, biting, soft tissue concerns of the gums and cheeks, thumb-sucking, the use of pacifiers and other soothing objects, cavity risk factors, the use of fluoride and how to prevent oral trauma.
For the best dental outcome for your child:
• Feed your child nutritious foods of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and dairy products
• Provide healthy snacks two or three times daily and vary them from day to day
• Include snacks that will strengthen their teeth, such as biting into a whole apple when they are old enough, rather than small cut-up pieces or apple sauce for a younger child
• Brush their teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day
• Brush their tongue
• Help them learn to floss when they are old enough
• Avoid leaving sugary substances on baby’s teeth for long periods of time. Rinse their mouth by offering plain water. Even breast milk can cause tooth decay if it stays on her teeth for a long period of time
• Make sure she gets regular dental check-ups starting 6 months after the first tooth comes in or when she turns 1.
It is never too early to teach proper oral care to your child. It is a good habit that will last them – and their teeth – a lifetime. | 
