We all know that dental care is important for children and adults. But what about baby teeth?
Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth—for chewing, speaking and appearance. Children with healthy mouths chew more easily and gain more nutrients from the foods they eat. In addition, the baby teeth hold the space in the jaws for the permanent teeth.
Read on to learn how to care for your young child's teeth and help prevent cavities.
How common is tooth decay in young kids?
Dental decay is the number 1 chronic childhood disease in the United States. We are seeing an alarming increase in cavities among toddlers and preschoolers:
- Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) children ages 2 to 5 get cavities in their baby teeth. By age 3, 28% of children have one or more cavities
- By age 8, more than half of children have cavities in their baby teeth.
How to brush & floss your child's teeth
Brushing a child's teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste is one of the most effective things parents can do to prevent decay. Use a soft-bristled child size toothbrush and help children with brushing until about age 8.
How much toothpaste to put on your child's toothbrush
The amount of fluoride toothpaste used is important since young children cannot spit well:
For children less than 3 years of age, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice)
For children 3-6 years of age, use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste
When kids should start flossing & how to help them
Flossing should begin as soon as 2 teeth begin to touch each other. Children need help with flossing until about age 10. Pre-threaded flossing sticks have a plastic handle that hold a piece of floss and may be easier to use when you're reaching into a small child's mouth.
Be mindful of sugar
Try to limit between-meal snacks and offer nutritious foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, cheese and yogurt. These are better for your child's teeth than sticky, sweet or processed snacks such as candy, potato chips and fruit roll-ups.
Offer your child water or milk to drink; avoid giving them fruit juice for thirst or as a snack. Fruit juice literally bathes teeth in sugar. It is especially harmful in a sippy cup.
Schedule a dental checkup for your baby or toddler
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that a child see a dentist and establishes a dental home by their first birthday. Think of the first visit as a "well baby check" for your child's teeth.
To find a dentist who sees children and accepts Medicaid or CHIP, visit insurekidsnow.gov.
What to expect at an infant dental check-up
Dental visits for babies are less clinical and more educational. Your pediatric dentist will conduct a thorough oral examination and review thumb sucking and pacifier habits, fluoride use, and your baby's feeding habits.
Also, by establishing a dental home early, you will not be frantically scrambling to find a dentist after hours. It is always easier for children if their first dental experience is not linked to a traumatic injury.
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