Dental care for infants

Good oral hygiene is important at an early age. The 20 primary teeth that will erupt by age two and one-half are already present at birth in the baby's jawbones. Your child's primary teeth should not be neglected, because they guide the permanent teeth into place.

When the teeth start coming in, the parent should begin daily brushing. When teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One serious form of tooth decay among infants and young children results from the bottle the child uses. Tooth decay can start from liquids containing sugars, such as fruit juice and other sweetened liquids. When left on the teeth, these sugars cause a plaque build-up that produces acids that attach to tooth enamel. This is how tooth decay begins.

The following are tips on how to prevent tooth decay for your child.

• Brush your child's teeth when the first tooth erupts.
• Floss your child's teeth when all the primary teeth have erupted. This is usually by age 2 or 2 and 1/2.
• Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices, or sweetened liquids.
• If needed, give the child a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist or pediatrician. Never dip the pacifier in any sweet liquid.
• Make sure your child gets the fluoride needed for fighting tooth decay. Ask your dentist how your child can get the recommended amount of fluoride.
• Start dental visits by 1 year of age.
• A proper diet from the five major food groups is important.
• Limit snacking on foods high in sugar.
• A fever is not normal for a teething baby. If your infant has a fever while teething, call your pediatrician.
• Ask your dentist about sealants, which protect teeth from decay.
• You can teach your child proper dental habits from the beginning. It may prevent future dental problem from starting.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File DENT4375.rf2 VRS# 4375 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.