- What about pacifiers?
- How to take care of those first teeth
- What happens when baby teeth start to fall out?
- How often should your child go to the dentist?
Children’s dental care
Healthy teeth are very important for your child's overall health. Taking care of those teeth is a joint effort that starts with you when your kids are babies. Eventually, they learn how to take care of their own teeth, or not, by how well you teach them.
What about pacifiers?
Pacifiers can help calm babies, but there are some things to watch for:
- Do not put anything sweet on a pacifier. It can lead to tooth decay.
- Try to stop pacifier use by 12 months of age.
- Using a pacifier for a long time can change how teeth grow and may affect speech.
How to take care of your child’s first teeth
Baby teeth usually start to come in around six months old. Caring for your child’s teeth should start as soon as the first tooth appears.
Here are some easy tips:
- Gently wipe your baby’s teeth and gums with a soft cloth twice a day.
- Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle. Rock or hold your baby instead.
- Help your baby drink water.
- Limit juice, and mix it with water if you give it.
- When more teeth come in, use a soft brush with non-fluoride toothpaste.
- For children ages 2 to 6, use a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Teach your child to spit out toothpaste and rinse with water.
- Take your baby to the dentist by age 1.
As your child grows, help them learn to brush and floss every day. This helps get them ready for their grown-up teeth.
What happens when baby teeth fall out?
Most children lose their first tooth around age six. The tooth that came in first is often the first one to fall out. A grown-up tooth will take its place. These teeth need good care because they last a long time.
When a tooth is loose:
- Let it fall out on its own.
- Do not pull it out. Pulling can cause pain or infection.
When grown-up teeth come in:
- Use toothpaste with fluoride.
- Replace your child’s toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Worn toothbrushes do not clean as well.
How often should your child see the dentist?
Once teeth appear, take your child to the dentist every six months. Regular checkups help prevent cavities and keep your child’s mouth healthy as they grow.