Things Parents Can Do for Dental Health in Toddlers & Infants

Your child's dental health as an infant and toddler can set the stage for healthy permanent teeth later in life as well as aiding in normal speech development and developing healthy eating habits. Because your young child can't brush her own teeth or monitor her mouth for cavities, it's up to you to help her take care of her oral health.

  1. Professional Dental Care

    • Your child should see a dentist for the first time at age 1, but this early dental visit will mainly be to familiarize your child with the dentist and to check for any problems or abnormalities in tooth or jaw development. Your child's dentist will also talk to you about proper dental care and will offer suggestions about what to do at home to head off future problems. If your child has specific dental care needs or problems, you might want to take him to a pediatric dentist, a dentist who has had additional training in treating children's dental issues.

    Home Care

    • As soon as the first tooth pushes through your baby's sensitive gums, you can get started with regular home brushing. Start off by wetting a soft baby-friendly toothbrush or a washcloth with plain water and gently rubbing the tiny teeth clean after feedings. You can start using a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste, about a pea-sized dab on the toothbrush, after your toddler's second birthday. While brushing your child's teeth, look for any brown or white spots, which can signal tooth decay, and bring them to the dentist's attention at your child's next dental checkup.

    Food and Drinks

    • Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle because milk can pool in the mouth and allow excess bacterial growth that could lead to plaque and cavities. Limit consumption of sugary foods and beverages, including juice. Don't let your child drink sugary drinks out of a sippy cup over a long period of time because each sip brings more sugar onto the surfaces of your child's teeth. Brush your baby or toddler's teeth after any meal or snack that includes something sugary.

    Teaching Healthy Dental Habits

    • Teaching healthy dental habits early in life makes it easier for your child to maintain his oral health as he gets older. Establish a regular habit of brushing every morning and evening so that it becomes a normal part of your child's routine.

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