Children  Healthier Smiles At Any Age

Take Care of Your Children’s Teeth While They Are Too Young

Baby teeth not only help your child eat and speak properly, they are a holding place for permanent teeth. Loosing baby teeth prematurely due to decay often referred to as “baby bottle decay” can result in crowding and other costly dental challenges down the road. By caring for your children’s teeth while they are babies and teaching them good oral hygiene habits while they are young, you are setting your child up for lifetime of beautiful, healthy teeth.

Begin cleaning the baby's mouth during the first few days after birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a clean gauze pad. This removes plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) and residual food that can harm erupting teeth. As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, tooth decay can occur. Therefore, when your child's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child's size toothbrush and water. Brush the teeth of children over age two with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure they spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water. Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottle before going to bed. If you use a pacifier, use a clean one. Never dip a pacifier in sugar or honey before giving it to a baby. (ADA)

Fluoride

Infants and toddlers who do not receive an adequate amount of fluoride may also have an increased risk for tooth decay since fluoride combines with the outer covering of the tooth (enamel) and makes the tooth more resistant to the acid attack.

Prevention

• Lower the risk of the baby’s infection with decay-causing bacteria. This can be done two ways – by improving the oral health of the mother/caregiver which reduces the number of bacteria in her mouth and by not sharing saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers and giving them to babies.
• After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth. This will remove plaque and bits of food that can harm erupting teeth. When your child’s teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child’s size toothbrush and water. (Consult with your child’s pediatrician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age two.)
• When your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste (usually not before age two), begin brushing the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. The American Dental Association recommends fluoride toothpaste; ask your dentist about your child’s fluoride needs.
• Brush your child’s teeth until he or she is at least six years old.
• 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, or put it in your mouth before giving it to the child.
• Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday and discourage frequent or prolonged use of a training (Sippy) cup.
• Encourage healthy eating habits that include a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Serve nutritious snacks and limit sweets to mealtimes.
• Ensure that your child has adequate exposure to fluoride. Discuss your child’s fluoride needs with your dentist or pediatrician.
• Schedule your child’s first visit to Today’s Dental around the age of three. To schedule an appointment please call 281-580-0770.

Patient Testimonials

“Dr. Hale will strive in any way possible for patients to keep their original teeth so that her patients can feel confident when they smile.” - Frank Lopez
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“I cannot thank Dr Hale and her staff enough for the outstanding dental care that they provided to my brother and for the compassion, respect, and care that they afforded to an individual less privileged than others.” - Dr Zahid Lalani, Oral Surgeon, Houston, Texas
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“There was no waiting! Every appointment was on time...I actually look forward to my next dental appointment!” - Jessie Tong
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