“The whole tooth about babies’ mouths”

Pediatric Oral Care – Guest Post, Dr. Beverly A. Largent, Member and Spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

As a parent, there is an endless number of decisions to make and things to remember within your infant’s first year of life. From diapers to baby food, pediatricians to daycare, it can be tough to determine your priorities among all the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

One thing many parents don’t realize is just how important their babies’ tiny teeth are for overall health and development. For most children, the first baby tooth makes its debut between six months and one year of age. While baby teeth may seem insignificant, especially knowing that they will eventually fall out, this couldn’t be further from the case.

These important teeth have a number of essential functions. They foster good nutrition by allowing proper chewing, help in speech development, as well as save a special place for new permanent teeth to come in. Baby teeth are vulnerable to decay from the get-go, and for Guessing all the Way readers who have endured a tooth ache, you certainly don’t want your tiny tot to go through the same painful experience. Tooth decay in baby teeth can prevent babies from eating properly and possibly even lead to infection; therefore, early loss of these important teeth may require costly emergency care.

The good news? By taking simple steps for preventative care, you can enjoy an endless supply of beautiful giggles and smiles! The most important thing a parent can do for their children’s oral health is to follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s advice to “Get it Done in Year One.” In other words, ensure that your infant sees a pediatric dentist before his or her first birthday. This all-important visit allows the dentist to detect early tooth decay, provide parents with information on proper oral and facial development, determine fluoride needs and most importantly, establish a foundation for a lifetime of oral health.

In fact, the year one dental visit can actually save money. A recent study found that children who have their first dental visit before the age of one have 40 percent lower dental costs in their first five years that those who do not.
It’s important to note that proper oral health care takes place in – and out – of the pediatric dentist’s chair. Parents can help developing teeth grow strong by using the following at-home care guidelines:

* Parents should clean infant mouths and gums daily with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water.

* Children older than six months need fluoride supplements if their drinking water does not contain enough fluoride. Fluoride supplementation in infants has been shown to reduce tooth decay by as much as 50 percent!

* Parents should avoid at-will breast feeding after the first tooth appears and solid foods are introduced.

* Parents should encourage infants to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday, and should wean them from the bottle by 12-14 months of age.

* To keep tiny teeth healthy, parents must also practice good oral health; parents can spread decay-causing bacteria to their child by kissing them on the lips, cleaning a pacifier with their saliva or pre-tasting babies’ food.

* Baby teeth should be brushed at least twice a day with an aged-appropriate sized toothbrush using a “smear” of fluoridated toothpaste.

For more information on caring for baby teeth or finding a local pediatric dentist, please visit www.aapd.org.


*The pictures on this post were found on Google Images. If they are copyrighted, please let me know.