Before your baby has teeth, wipe the inside of his mouth at
least once a day. How?
Don't put anything in your baby's mouth that has been in your
mouth. Why?
Take your baby to the dentist by his/her first birthday (or
within 6 months of the first tooth).
Why?
If your baby sucks her thumb, fingers or a pacifier, try to
wean her off by age 2.
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The calcium in milk is good for growing
babies, but problems arise if the teeth are surrounded with milk sugars too much
of the time.
Bedtime bottles should only have water in
them.
Don't allow your baby to have a bottle or
sippy cup throughout the day.
Wean your baby from a bottle to a cup (not
a sippy cup) by 10-12 months.
Why?
(And how do I do this?)
Limit how often your child has juice, sweet drinks, and
snacks. Add an equal amount of water to fruit juice.
Snacks like cheese, yogurt, fruit and vegetables are better
for teeth than chips, crackers or cereals.
After your child eats sweets, chips, crackers or juice, have
them rinse with water.
Why?
Once the first tooth appears, start brushing!
How?
Don't put anything in your child's mouth that has been in your
mouth. Why?
Ask your doctor or dentist about fluoride. What
are the choices?
Mouth rinse can help fight decay
What kind?
Adults who care for the child should
visit the dentist. Adults can also chew sugar-free gum with xylitol after
eating . Why?
See a dentist when you learn you are pregnant. The
health of your teeth during pregnancy is important for you and your baby.
There are more options for affordable dental care for pregnant
women.
When you are pregnant, you can think about ways you will help
your baby have healthy teeth.
More
about pregnancy
I
drink from a bottle. Isn't milk good for my teeth?