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It's never too early for good dental
care. With good tooth care your child can grow up
cavity-free. Start by caring for your baby's teeth. As
he or she grows, teach your child the best possible
tooth care. And don't forget that healthy teeth require
regular visits to the dentist. |
Let's Talk About Brushing
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 Food
particles and bacteria form a sticky substance called
plaque on teeth. Bacteria in the plaque make acid
that eats away the tooth's enamel (hard coating).
This causes tooth decay. Brushing keeps plaque
from forming. Begin brushing your baby's teeth as soon
as the first tooth appears. At first, use water and a
piece of cotton gauze. As more teeth come in, use a
small toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride
toothpaste. When the child is old enough to brush on his
or her own, watch to be sure it's done right. |
Don't Forget Flossing
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| Flossing removes
bacteria and plaque that brushing can't reach.
Floss your child's teeth daily. When the child is
old enough, a floss holder can help him or her
floss. |
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What About Fluoride?
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| Fluoride makes
tooth enamel stronger. This helps prevent
cavities. Does your community's water have fluoride
added to it? If not, ask your dentist whether your
child should be given fluoride supplements. Your
dentist may also apply fluoride to your child's
adult teeth at regular checkups. |
Help From Sealants
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Sealants are a
safe, painless, and low-cost way to help protect
your child's back teeth from decay. A thin
plastic coating is bonded to the chewing
surfaces of the molars and premolars. The
sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and
bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves on
the surface of the teeth. |
Problems to Watch For
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| Problems with
either the baby or adult teeth can harm
your
child's growing smile. So watch for signs of
decay. And avoid things that may harm your
child's teeth. |
| Tooth
Decay |
| Never let your
child sleep with a bottle. Bottle liquids (even
milk) that sit in the mouth can quickly cause
tooth decay. Don't let your child drink or snack
without brushing afterward. |
| Thumb
Sucking and Pacifiers |
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| Sucking on a
thumb or pacifier is common and normal for a
baby. But if either habit continues past age 4
or 5, it may lead to tooth or jaw problems. If
your child uses a pacifier, an orthopaedic
pacifier is best for the teeth and jaws. |
| When to Call
the Dentist |
- If an adult tooth is
loose, call your dentist. If a tooth is
knocked out, get emergency dental care.
Don't wash the tooth. Put it in milk
until it can be put back in place.
- Call the dentist if
you notice brown or black spots on your
child's teeth.
- Consult with your
dentist if baby or adult teeth are
crooked or fail to come in.
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| The Tooth Chart |
| A child's first teeth are
called primary (baby) teeth. These
teeth start to come in between 4 and 18
months of age. In many children, all baby
teeth are in place by age 3. By age 6, the
baby teeth begin to fall out. They are
replaced by permanent (adult) teeth.
Most adult teeth are in place by the time
the child is in his or her early teens. |
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Primary teeth
are present deep in the gums at
birth. Beginning around age 6,
they fall out to make way for
permanent teeth. |
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Permanent
teeth are the ones the child
will have for the rest of his or
her life. |
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| Coping with
Teething |
| The time
when the baby teeth are coming in is
called teething. During teething,
your baby may be grouchy. He or she may
drool more than usual and may chew on
things to help feel better. Cold
teething rings, pacifiers, and numbing
creams can help make teething easier for
your baby. |
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Visiting the Dentist |
| Unless
you notice a problem, your child's
first dental visit should be at
around age 2. Before this first checkup,
a "practice" visit can be arranged to
help your child get used to the dental
office. A checkup and cleaning is then
needed about twice a year. |
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