A Healthy Mouth for your Baby
Healthy teeth are important – even baby teeth. Children need healthy teeth to help them chew and speak clearly. Also baby teeth hold space for the larger adult teeth, if baby teeth have to be removed due to cavities than it is likely that the child will have a problem with the adult teeth not erupting properly or causing crowding of teeth. This may lead to the need for extensive orthodontic treatment (braces) in order to put the teeth back in place.
Dr. Berry has some suggestions to help keep your baby’s mouth healthy:
1. Protect your baby’s teeth with fluoride: Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that at optimal levels protects teeth from tooth decay and can even reverse early decay. Some towns add fluoride to their drinking water for the benefit of the residents to help reduce decay. If you do not live in a fluoridated area or do not have public water, ask Dr. Berry of your child's pediatrician about other kinds of fluoride such as varnish or drops that can help keep your baby’s teeth healthy.
2. Check and clean your baby’s teeth: Healthy teeth are usually all one color. If you see spots or stains on the teeth, take your baby to a dentist. Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the few days after birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a clean wet washcloth. This removes residual food and helps your baby get used to having their mouth checked. When their teeth begin to come in, clean them at least twice a day with a baby tooth brush. It’s best to clean them in the morning and right before bed time. At age 2 (or sooner if suggested by your dentist), you should start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on your child’s tooth brush twice a day. Young children cannot get their teeth clean by themselves so until they are 7 or 8 years old, you will need to help them brush. It is natural for kids to want to do it themselves or to try to avoid brushing, but it is important to ensure the teeth are cleaned daily to prevent decay.
3. Feed your baby healthy foods: Cavities are caused when bacteria in our mouths eat sugar and put out acid which break down the teeth. Choose foods without a lot of sugar in them and choose fruits or vegetables for snacks. Save the cookies or other treats for special occasions and try to eat them with a meal.
4. Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle: Milk, formula, juice and other drinks such as soda all contain sugar and if your baby goes to bed with a bottle the sugary liquids will stay on your baby’s teeth and lead to tooth decay. If you must give your baby a bottle, fill it with only water. This may take time for your baby to get used to the water instead of the sugary liquids. In addition, avoid giving your baby a bottle with filled with sweet drinks to carry around between feeds and if your baby uses a pacifier, don’t dip it in anything sweet like sugar or honey.
5. Take your child to the dentist: Your child should visit the dentist by their first birthday. Dr. Berry and her team will check your child’s teeth, show you how to clean their teeth, and answer any questions you may have. It is important to encourage positive reinforcement before coming to the dentist and avoid making the child scared of the dentist.