Did You Know…caregivers pass on germs that cause dental cavities to babies by sharing saliva on spoons while feeding babies or by cleaning off pacifiers in their mouths and other means?
It’s true, babies are not born with bacteria in their mouths that would cause dental caries, the disease that eventually leads to tooth decay and cavities.
Of course with life and eating, bacteria will eventually make their way into any baby’s mouth but we as adults can do our part in trying not to speed up or add to that process!
How to prevent cavities in your child:
- Don’t clean off their pacifiers in your mouth
- Use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from erupting teeth and gums in infants
- Don’t share feeding utensils
- Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle
- Brush and floss your child’s teeth at least twice a day
- Minimize or avoid sugary snacks and drinks
When should you start brushing your child’s teeth?
As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. Use just a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until about age 3. Then when your child is old enough not to swallow it you can increase it to about a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about age 7. We understand that every child is different though and during your child’s regular cleanings we can help you determine when your child is brushing properly and can do so without your supervision.
