Are baby teeth less important than adult teeth since they are not permanent?

No. Baby teeth help children speak clearly and chew naturally. They also form a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to come in.

When should children start brushing their teeth?

• Before your baby starts teething, wipe your child's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth after each feeding.
• Once your baby gets teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush, water, and a grain of rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 3 to 6.
• Always supervise kids younger than 6 while brushing, as they are more likely to swallow toothpaste.
• Wipe the excess toothpaste off teeth after brushing for children who cannot spit toothpaste out yet.
• Floss teeth daily once they touch.

How often should children brush their teeth?

At least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association's (ADA) seal of acceptance.

When should I take my child to the dentist for the first check-up?

Schedule the first dental appointment within six months of their first tooth and no later than their first birthday.

How often does my child need to see a dentist?

Every six months. However, your dentist can determine the frequency of visits based on the child.

What are fluoride treatments?

Fluoride is a sticky, colorful substance with a pleasant taste. A dentist paints a thin layer on your child's teeth to strengthen the outer shell and prevent cavities. Treatments are quick, painless, and may even reverse cavities that have just started forming. Your child may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for a short period of time (30 minutes) after the treatment.

What are Early Childhood Caries?

Early Childhood Caries is when one or more baby teeth, in a child zero to six years old, has decayed, is missing due to decay, or has had a filling.

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is another name for Early Childhood Caries. It is most often seen in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. Common causes include the passing of saliva from caregiver to child on feeding spoons or pacifiers and the frequent, long exposure of the baby's teeth to sugary drinks.

How can I prevent Early Childhood Caries?

• Minimize saliva-sharing activities between caregivers and child to limit bacteria transmission. For example, limit common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers.
• Provide a clean pacifier. Do not dip it in sugar or honey.
• Wipe your child's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad, or washcloth after each feeding.
• When your child's teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush, water, and a grain of rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3, and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the ages of 3 to 6.
• Brush or rinse your child's teeth after giving sugary medications.
• Schedule your child's first dental appointment within six months of their first tooth and no later than their first birthday.
• Take your child to dental exams every six months or based on dentist recommendations.
• Get fluoride treatments.
• Place only formula, milk, or breast milk in bottles. Avoid sugar water, juice, or soft drinks.
• Don't put your children to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. The sugars in these drinks can sit on your child's teeth all night and cause decay.
• Limit snacking on cereal, crackers, cookies, white bread, and sports drinks. These have sugars that feed the cavity causing bacteria in the mouth.

What do I do if my child has a toothache?

• Rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen.
• Give the child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums.
• See a dentist as soon as possible.

Are thumbsucking and pacifiers harmful for a child's teeth?

Thumbsucking and pacifier habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period. Consult your dentist if these habits occur past the age of three.

What do I do if my child's infant or toddler tooth is injured?

Check for bleeding, a loose or fractured tooth, or persistent pain. If any of these symptoms occur, visit a dentist to determine next steps. It is common for an injured baby's tooth to turn gray.

What do I do if my child's permanent tooth is injured?

1. Keep the tooth moist at all times.

2. Try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root.

3. If step 2 is not possible, place the tooth in between the cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

4. Get to the dentist's office right away.

What can I do to protect my child's teeth during sporting events?

A custom-fitted mouthguard will protect your child from injuries to the teeth, face, and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.