information for mothers of younger children:
More information concerning baby's teeth.
- Primary or "baby" teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.
- Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed-time bottle. Properly brush and floss your child's teeth. Take your child regularly to have his or her teeth and gums checked. These habits will help prevent tooth decay in the nursing child.
- Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers past the age of five, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.
- Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2-3 years of age. Prior to that, parents should clean the child's teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. When toothpaste is used after age 2- 3, parents should supervise brushing and make sure the child uses no more than a pea-size amount on the brush. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.
