How do I take care of my baby's teeth?

With the addition of fluoride in our water supply, tooth decay is becoming less of a problem for today's kids than for previous generations. However, fluoridated water alone will not keep decay at bay. Good oral hygiene is just as important. Parents need to start an oral hygiene program when a baby is about 4 months old, even before the first tooth has erupted.

What to do:

• At about 4 months of age, wipe your baby's gums everyday with your finger covered with a piece of gauze, massage all the surfaces to acquaint your baby with this new sensation and routine
• A small soft toothbrush with plain water should be used when your baby has several teeth or by 1 year of age
• Toddlers should have their teeth brushed twice a day with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to help remove debris, plaque and bacteria
• Parents should brush their children's teeth until about 5 to 6 years of age to assure that all surfaces are cleaned, letting children take their turn first, followed by the parents can make this task easier
• After 6 years of age, most children possess the knowledge and dexterity to thoroughly brush their own teeth twice a day and floss daily

A Fluoride Source:

• City water and water in most of the surrounding suburbs have adequate fluoride, so if your child drinks tap water then additional fluoride is not needed
• Bottled water may not have enough fluoride to protect against tooth decay, ask your bottler for the fluoride content, a supplement may be needed (Adequate fluoride content is 0.7-1.2 parts per million)
• Filtered water may not have enough fluoride to protect against tooth decay, ask the manufacturer if fluoride is removed by the filtering process, a supplement may be needed

A Tooth Healthy Diet:

• Do not let your baby go to bed with a bottle of anything but water, the sugars from milk and juice can rot the teeth as your child sleeps
• Avoid sweet, sticky foods (raisins, caramel, gummy candy)
• Have sweet foods with meals not as snacks

The Dentist:

• All children should have the first dental exam at 2 years of age
• Some children will see a dentist sooner for problems
• Ask the dentist about sealants when your child is getting permanent teeth