Dental Health Starts in Infancy, According to Intermountain Children’s Health

Healthy teeth start when your baby's first tooth emerges, Intermountain Children’s Health experts say.

“Good oral health is a habit you can start with your baby as soon as you feel their first tooth start to come in,” said Hans Reinemer, DMD, medical director of the pediatric dental residency program at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Instilling healthy habits at a young age will give them the best start for a healthy future.”

Tooth decay can start as soon as teeth appear in the mouth. About 60 percent of children nationwide are affected by tooth decay by their fifth birthday, which leads to pain and infection in some cases. Tooth decay is caused by factors including poor hygiene and diet, and a parent’s own cavity-causing bacteria that is often passed to their babies.

Here are five things you can do to keep your baby’s teeth healthy:

1. Wipe baby’s gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth or a clean finger after the first feeding and before bedtime.

1. When the first tooth emerges, brush it gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and water.

1. Encourage children to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday, and wean them from the bottle between 12-14 months of age.

1. Take your child to a pediatric dentist by age 1 year, and visit the dentist every six months thereafter for a healthy mouth and teeth.

1. Moms and dads should see a dentist regularly, practice good oral hygiene, and get cavities fixed so they don’t pass cavity-causing bacteria to their babies.

“The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing problems in the future,” Dr. Reinemer said. “Healthy teeth are needed chewing, speech, spacing, growth and development, self-esteem and confidence.”

Here are some other tips from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:

• Never dip a pacifier into honey or anything sweet before giving it to a baby.
• Don’t give babies bottles filled with juice.
• Have baby finish their bottle before bed to limit the time sugar is in contact with teeth.
• Promote a tooth-friendly diet as your child grows. Encourage water instead of sugary drinks. Offer tooth-friendly foods high in calcium, like cheese and yogurt, and crunchy fruits and vegetables to promote saliva production and the natural mouth-cleansing process.
• Avoid frequent snacking to allow teeth to recover from sugars in food.

For more information about children’s health, visit intermountainhealth.org/childrens-health.