Baby Teeth Are More Important Than You Think

When you are a first time parent it can be overwhelming with all the information out there, but we want to help in every way they can to make your bundle of joy as happy and healthy as ever.

Even though you may not realize it, your child’s baby teeth are important. Just because they are going to fall out in a few years doesn’t mean you should neglect them seeing as they are still susceptible to cavities. This tooth decay is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. These baby teeth help make sure your child’s adult teeth come in correctly. Here are a few tips from Mouth Healthy to help avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:

• Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
• When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Be sure to consult with your child’s dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age 2.
• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6.
• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
• Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.

“Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. It’s important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come,” the experts at Mouth Healthy share. One of the most important things to remember is to avoid putting juices in your child’s bottle. The sugar in them contributes to tooth decay.

When your child’s first tooth appears, talk to your dentist about scheduling their first dental visit. Call us at Artistic Touch Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maryam Brazdo or Dr. Janice Wahl.