Dental Care and Hygiene

When it comes to your child’s bright and healthy smile, proper care starts early. You might think that since baby teeth fall out, cavities in baby teeth don’t matter as much as cavities in permanent teeth, but that’s a common misconception. It’s important to take good care of your child’s baby teeth because tooth decay in baby teeth can actually cause problems in the incoming permanent teeth. Plus, instilling good dental care habits early can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth.

When does tooth brushing start?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that brushing teeth with a soft bristle brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste should begin the day your child’s first tooth comes in. However, you can help your child take good care of her teeth even before she has any! Gently wipe baby’s gums with a soft cloth to help remove any milk sugars or germs that could cause issues when her teeth come in.

Other fundamentals of dental hygiene

• Limit the amount of sugar your child has in their diet. The more sugar, the more likely your child is to get a cavity, so be mindful of juice, candy, and even dried fruit.
• Don’t let your child have juice, milk, or any other sugary drink in a sippy cup for a long period of time.
• Once your child has a “dental home” (recommended by age one), set regular checkups with your child’s dentist. Your pediatrician can help you find a dentist that specializes in caring for children.
• Model good behavior. As with anything, your child will look to you as a role model for what good dental health habits look like.
• Make tooth brushing fun. Try fun flavors of fluoride toothpaste and let your child pick out their own toothbrush at the store (just make sure it’s soft-bristled).
• Set a routine. Make brushing your teeth a part of your daily routine. For your bedtime or evening wind-down routine, consider brushing your teeth at the same time your children do – this can turn into a fun activity to do together.

Resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics

• Topic: Teething and Dental Hygiene
• Brushing Up on Oral Health: It's Never Too Early to Start
• Teething and Tooth Care
• Healthy Teeth and Your Child's Diet
• Why Regular Dental Visits are Important