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Taking Care of Your Baby’s Mouth and Teeth
Starting At Birth
Did you know that you should clean your baby’s mouth every morning and night even before teeth start coming in?
Bacteria and sugars from breastmilk and formula build up on the gums from birth. Once bacteria has been introduced and allowed to grow in the mouth, your baby will be more susceptible to decay throughout his or her life – so it is best to keep the mouth as clean as possible from birth.
- Use a clean washcloth, soft rubber finger brush, or sterile gauze to wipe the gums and tongue clean every morning after breakfast and every night before bed.
- Do not put your baby to bed with a milk bottle. Find bedtime alternatives here. (please link to Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Page)
- Do not share germs with your baby. Avoid chewing food up for your baby, putting his or her pacifier in your mouth, and sharing eating utensils. Always wash your hands before touching anything that will go in your baby’s mouth.
- Only give clean pacifiers to your baby. Do not dip them in honey or other sugary substances.
Once Teeth Start Coming In
Most people simply don’t realize that you should take care of a baby’s teeth just as you should an adult’s. In fact, children’s teeth are softer than adult teeth – so they are more susceptible to decay and should be cared for even more diligently!
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, tooth decay is a disease that is typically established during the first two years of life. Nearly one in every five children between the ages of two and four has visible dental decay – that’s almost 20%!
To keep your child from being one of those statistics, follow these simple steps:
- Brush every morning after breakfast and every night before bed, using a soft-bristled age-appropriate toothbrush (all toothbrushes have the ages they are designed for on the package).
- If your child only has front teeth, you may continue to use a soft rubber finger brush and clean the gums with a clean washcloth every night.
- Floss any teeth that are touching every night before bedtime. Use a plastic “flosser” to make this easier (available at any drug store, grocery store or supermarket – usually in bags of 25 or more). This is very important! Many young children get cavities in between their teeth that spread rapidly and sometimes cause infection. We see it every day.
- Discontinue bottle use by the first birthday.
- Avoid liquid-grazing – that is, letting your child use a bottle or sippy cup for extended periods of time. Only allow milk or juice at meal times and encourage your child to use a regular cup as soon as he or she is able.
- Do not give milk or juice after bedtime. Only give your child water after you have brushed at night. The sugars will sit on the teeth all night and eat away at the protective outer layers, eventually causing severe tooth decay and unsightly staining.
- Do not allow your child to drink liquids high in sugar and acids such as soda, tea, fruit drinks and coffee. If you are going to use juice, it is best to use 100% juice with no added sugar, watered down.
- Avoid letting your child eat sticky, sugary candies such as taffy, chewing gum, fruit snacks, caramel, etc.
- If your child is going to eat snacks throughout the day, try to encourage him or her to have healthier foods such as carrot sticks, celery with pimento cheese or peanut butter, fresh fruit, and cheese. Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses help buffer the acids that cause cavities – so they make a great snack!
- Schedule a first dental visit as soon as the first teeth erupt. Every child should see a dentist by their first birthday.
- Take your child for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months – because it takes approximately six months for a cavity to completely form.
Read more about the first dental visit and other important oral health topics by following the links below:
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