Seton Baby Talk

Taking good care of your child’s teeth is important because even “baby” teeth help your child chew food and speak clearly. Baby teeth also hold space so permanent teeth can grow in straight. For example if a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room, causing crooked or crowded permanent teeth. If you start your child off with good dental habits, your child will find it easier to keep those good habits forever.

You should start caring for your child’s gums and teeth at birth. Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, wet cloth after each feeding. As baby teeth begin to appear, start cleaning them with a soft, child-sized toothbrush twice a day. When your child reaches three years of age, you can start to use a small, pea-sized dab of children’s fluoride toothpaste. It is important to use only a small amount of toothpaste so your baby does not swallow too much of it. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause spots on your child’s teeth.

From six months to age three, your child may have sore gums when teeth come through. Many children like a cold teething ring, cool spoon; cold wet washcloth, or simply having their gums with a clean finger to alleviate the pain.

You should start taking your child to pediatric dental visits by his or her first birthday. It is important to begin at an early age because this gives the dentist a chance to look for early tooth problems and to talk to you about how to care for your baby’s teeth. It also helps your child get used to going to the dentist’s office. The main problem pediatric dentists look for early on is baby bottle tooth decay, which can occur when babies go to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. The sugar in formula, milk, or juice stays in contact with the teeth for a long time during the night which can cause the teeth to decay quickly.

Here are some tips to avoid baby-bottle tooth decay:

1. Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain water, not milk or juice.
2. Stop nursing when your child is asleep or has stopped sucking on the bottle
3. Stop unrestricted, at-will nighttime breastfeeding after eruption of the child’s first tooth.
4. Try not to let your child walk around using a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier.
5. Start to teach your child to drink from a cup at about 6 months of age.
6. Plan to stop using a bottle by 12 to 14 months at the latest.
7. Don’t dip your child’s pacifier in honey or sugar.

Healthy eating habits also lead to healthy teeth. Give your child a variety of foods. Try to limit sweets (candy or cookies), starchy foods (crackers) and sticky foods (raisins) because they stay in the mouth longer, increasing the risk for tooth decay. If your child wants a snack between meals, offer fruits or vegetables. They are better for developing teeth.

It is normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or pacifiers. Most children give up this habit on their own by the time they are four years old which usually does not cause any harm to their teeth. If your child is still has a sucking habit after age four, tell your dentist. A sucking habit can create crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

Remember, the earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.