Dental decay is one of the most prevalent and significant pediatric health concerns in the United States, leading to problems such as oral pain, frequent absences from school, and difficulty concentrating. Taking proper care of your child’s teeth and mouth from birth is of the utmost importance when setting the tone for a healthy lifestyle.1
Baby (deciduous) teeth aren’t permanent, so what makes them so significant? Your baby’s teeth are vital to his or her overall health and well-being. Teeth affect appearance, they are instrumental in chewing food properly for digestion, and they play an important role where speech is concerned. Baby teeth remain in a child’s mouth until 11 or 12 years of age. Losing teeth too early can cause problems with the alignment of permanent teeth, while delayed tooth loss can result in crowding, which often causes issues with a child’s bite.2
Here are a few ways you can be proactive when it comes to your child’s dental health:
1. Promote proper dental habits from birth.
2. Avoid using toothpaste until 18 months of age, and then use only a smear the size of a grain of rice until age 3.
3. Once baby teeth come in, brush twice daily using a small toothbrush or finger cot.
4. From ages 3 to 12, children should use a spot of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a pea when brushing, making sure to spit out excess toothpaste instead of swallowing.
5. Schedule your child’s first dental visit just before his or her first birthday, unless you’re experiencing problems with feeding. If you do encounter difficulty nursing or bottle feeding, an underlying condition such as maxillary frenum pull or ankyloglossia (lip- or tongue-tie) could be at play, which should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid complications with feeding and speech development.1,3
Cavity prevention
Cavities are a breakdown in tooth enamel caused by food debris and sugars left on the teeth. Enamel is much thinner on baby teeth, so regular brushing is crucial when it comes to preventing cavities. You can take steps to foster good dental hygiene even before your baby’s teeth emerge by using a soft washcloth to clean the gums. Once your child’s first tooth comes in, a small toothbrush should be introduced for brushing; chewing on the brush is okay and even encouraged as it may help to relieve pain from teething.2
Common causes of baby tooth decay include frequent snacking and allowing your baby to take a bottle to bed. Tooth discoloration and tooth pain are key indicators that there may be a cavity.3
Teething
Teething usually starts around three months of age, and is best described as a burning sensation. Consult your pediatrician if your child’s discomfort is accompanied by a fever or diarrhea, as this is probably unrelated to teething. Alcohol or numbing gel should never be applied to your baby’s gums, but below are a few safe options for easing the discomfort that comes with teething3-5:
- Milk or formula popsicles
- Spoons or teething rings kept cool in the refrigerator
- Finger cots to massage gums
- Teething crackers
Diet
From an oral health standpoint, amount of sugar is the main factor to consider when choosing food options for your child. Cheerios, graham crackers, cheese sticks, yogurt, the occasional watered-down juice (maintain a 3 to 1 water to juice ratio), and various fruits and veggies are all great choices. Try and stay away from sugar-laden cereals, sticky or gooey treats, candy, and starchy snacks like chips and crackers that can become wedged in the grooves of your child’s teeth. Starting healthy eating habits early and drinking water with fluoride put your child on the right track toward a healthy life.2
Healthy habits
Plan to provide a new toothbrush for your child every three months or sooner. Your child should use small circles to brush at the gum line with fluoridated toothpaste (non-fluoridated until he or she is able to spit it out—usually around age 3) twice a day for at least two minutes. To make sure an adequate amount of time has passed, either set a timer or have your child sing the “Happy Birthday” song once for the top teeth and then again for the bottom teeth. Schedule an exam and cleaning appointment with your child’s dentist and dental hygienist twice a year. Aim to book the first appointment by his or her first birthday.2,4,6
Safety
While playing contact sports, your child should always wear a mouth guard. There are many different types of guards—preformed, boil and bite, or custom fit from your dentist—but you can find non-custom versions at most sports stores. Regardless of which version you choose, consistent use of the guard is the most important thing. Accidents happen and, in many cases, damage is avoidable if proper safety gear is in place.4
Common dental emergencies
Dental emergencies come in many forms, but there are a few general guidelines to remember:
- In the event of a toothache, give your child the same medication recommended by your pediatrician for a headache; never put an aspirin on a tooth.
- If your child bumps a tooth and it gradually turns dark gray, the nerve in the tooth may have died due to the trauma. See your child’s dentist immediately.
- If a permanent tooth is knocked out, handle the tooth carefully trying not to touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse with milk or water, don’t wipe dry, but store in milk or saltwater. If milk or saltwater are unavailable, the tooth can be stored in your child’s mouth between the cheek and the gums. If your child is unable to do this, have him or her spit in a cup and store the tooth there. If all else fails, you can try to put the tooth back in, gently. Visit your child’s dentist immediately to make sure the nerve is not exposed.4,7
Pacifiers and thumb-sucking
Sucking on a pacifier, finger, or thumb can cause damage to your child’s permanent teeth, so you should aim to wean your child off of these methods of self-soothing by the age of 1. Avoid scolding your child, but rely on positive reinforcement when he or she shows restraint. You could also suggest giving pacifiers to the new baby in the family.
So many factors come into play when it comes to your child’s oral health, but starting healthy habits from birth will result in healthy behaviors that will serve your child for a lifetime.4
References
1. Mahat G, Bowen F. Parental knowledge about urban preschool children’s oral health risk. Pediatric Nursing. 2017;43(1):30‐34.
2. How important are baby teeth? (1993). USA Today Magazine, 121(2573), 11. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9302190588&site=ehost-live
3. Lyon L. Guarding kids’ first choppers. U.S. News & World Report. 2008;144(6):58.
4. American Dental Association (ADA) worksheets on eruption patterns
5. Perrone M. Orajel and other teething medicines are not safe for babies, FDA warns. Time.com. 2018. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/orajel-other-teething-medicines-not-191026847.html
6. Johnson TD. Make healthy teeth a lifelong habit. The Nation’s Health. 2008;38(2):24.
7. Emerich K, Wyszkowski J. Clinical practice: dental trauma. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2010;169(9):1045–1050. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-1130-x
