Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics states that “tooth decay is the number one dental problem among preschoolers”?
Tooth decay is preventable. Our children rely on us to start their tooth care with the appearance of their first tiny tooth!
As a baby, after feedings, wipe your child’s gums with a clean wet washcloth or a baby toothbrush with water. At your child’s well-baby check-ups, your doctor will check your child’s mouth. Ask if you have any concerns.
At age 12 to 24 months, brush the child’s teeth with water on a soft-bristled baby toothbrush. Brush twice a day.
Schedule dental visits at least once a year. Discuss with your doctor or dentist about your baby’s feedings, use of bottles and pacifiers, and thumb sucking.
Allow your child to only have juice 1 time per day at a meal.
At 24 months, brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled child-sized toothbrush. Use fluoride toothpaste but only a pea-sized amount. Try to teach your child to not swallow the toothpaste.
Encourage your child to brush on his/her own and then you can finish the job.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk (only water) and give children only water or milk between meals or at snack time. Also don’t give your child drinks with sugar and acid like pop, lemonade, Kool-aid, and sports drinks.
Cavities are caused by germs in the mouth that combine with sugar and acids that break down the tooth enamel. Your child can actually catch these germs from parents or others when they share food, drinks or utensils!
