10 Simple Ways Parents Can Protect Baby’s Smile

1.  Lift the Lip
Encourage parents to check their child’s teeth monthly to look for signs of decay.

2. Take the baby to the dentist
“First dental visit by first birthday”, particularly for higher risk children. All children should see a dentist by age three.

3. Protect the baby’s teeth with fluoride
Systemic fluoride for all, plus fluoride varnish for higher risk children. Fluoride strengthens the tooth structure providing protective effect, i.e. remineralization.

4. Brush daily
Clean infant gums and first teeth with a moist cloth or a small soft toothbrush. For babies with more teeth use a tiny bit of fluoridated toothpaste on a soft toothbrush.

5. Limit sugar
Increased frequency and exposure to sugar increases the likelihood of tooth decay. Acid produced by bacterial action on dietary fermentable carbohydrates demineralizes the tooth structure leading to cavities.

6. No bottles in bed

7. Wean from bottle to cup by 1 year

8. Don’t share germs
Dental decay is a transmissible bacterial disease. Parents should receive regular dental care to reduce their bacterial load and should not share toothbrushes with their children. Maintenance of good oral hygiene through regular brushing and dental care for both parent and child will improve oral health and may help to lower the risk of spreading decay-causing bacteria.

9. Assist with brushing up to age 6

10. Encourage parents to take care of themselves
Remind parents that their children learn good oral health habits by watching them.