Links and Resources: Dental Care

Often, parents aren't sure what dental needs their children have as they grow quickly from birth to age five. Mouth care should begin at birth. After each feeding, gently wipe your baby's gums with a soft, damp washcloth. You should start cleaning your child's teeth as soon as they appear. Use a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush with only pea-size dab of children's fluoride toothpaste. Make sure your child doesn't swallow the toothpaste. By combining a good diet with proper dental care you can ensure your child enjoys a high level of dental health.

• Bottle Tooth Decay
• Baby bottle tooth decay is a leading dental problem for children under three years of age. The practice of putting a baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours, is the major cause of this dental condition. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child's teeth are exposed to sugary liquids, such as formula or fruit juices for a continuous, extended period to time. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that can lead to infection. Comfort a child who wants a bottle between regular feedings or during naps with a bottle filled with cool water.
• Bottle Mouth Disease
• Once your baby's teeth begin to appear, you need to take extra care that these new teeth don't develop cavities. One common way a baby can develop cavities is called "nursing bottle mouth," which occurs from failing to clean your child's teeth and extended nursing on milk, formula, or juices, especially before bedtime or naptime. Don't use the feeding bottle as a pacifier. If you must give your baby a bottle at bedtime or naptime, make sure it contains plain water. Remember, good nutrition and brushing after meals leads to healthy teeth and smiles.