Number 19

March 2021

Dental Care for Your Infant and Toddler

Beginning dental care early is important for your The liquid stays in the mouth, bathing the teeth in
child’s health. Dental care keep teeth healthy for a sugar for a long time.
lifetime. Healthy baby teeth help children eat and
speak clearly. Baby teeth guide permanent adult teeth Transferring bacteria from your mouth to your
into the proper position. Some baby teeth are not baby’s: Your child can get bacteria from family
replaced by permanent teeth until the age of 12 or 13. members through the saliva. You can reduce the
Dental care includes cleaning your baby’s gums even chance of passing cavity-causing bacteria to your baby
before the teeth come into the mouth. Keeping your by:
child’s teeth and gums clean is the easiest way to keep  Avoid sharing toothbrushes
them healthy.  Avoid licking soothers to clean them
 Avoid feeding your baby with a spoon that has been
What is early childhood tooth decay in your mouth
(cavities)?  Making sure all family members have healthy
Early childhood tooth decay refers to the development mouths
of cavities in children from 6 months to 6 years of age.
Once your child has teeth, they are at risk for tooth Bacteria, combined with poor dental hygiene and
decay. Many things cause tooth decay, including the unhealthy eating habits, can increase the risk of your
bacteria that is normally found in the mouth. Without child developing early childhood cavities.
treatment, decay can spread deeper into the tooth. The
decay can cause pain and infection, and can even How to prevent tooth decay?
damage the underlying adult tooth. The baby tooth or Practice good dental care
teeth may need to be removed. Good dental care includes cleaning and checking your
child's teeth and mouth every day. Lift the lip so you
What can contribute to tooth decay? can see along the gum line when cleaning. Look for
The following factors may contribute to early white or brown areas, which may be early signs of
childhood tooth decay: tooth decay.
 Frequent Eating(especially sticky or sugary foods)
 Constant use of a baby bottle or sippy cup filled
Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a wet clean face
with milk, juice or formula (especially at bedtime) cloth. When teeth start to come in, use a small soft-
 Not brushing your child’s teeth daily
bristled toothbrush with a smear (size of a grain of
 Not using fluoride tooth paste
rice) of fluoride toothpaste. Brush your child’s teeth in
the morning and especially at bedtime. Once your
According to the Canadian Dental Association, the child turns 3, brush your child’s teeth using a "pea-
damage that sugar does to teeth depends on how much sized" amount of fluoride toothpaste on a soft child’s
sugar goes into the mouth and how long it stays in the toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste used in these amounts
mouth. When your child eats or drinks sugars, the is considered safe and effective against tooth decay.
germs (bacteria) in your child’s mouth mix with the
sugars to make a mild acid. This acid attacks the hard Offer water to drink between feedings
outer layer of teeth (also called enamel) to form Introduce your baby to using a lidless cup between 6
cavities. and 9 months of age. After 12 months, water is the
best choice between regular feeding times and for
If your child often sips juice or eats sticky or sugary thirst.
snacks between meals, the teeth are coated in sugars
over and over again. Tooth decay can also develop Give up the bottle or sippy cup at bedtime
when a child goes to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. For tips on how to help your child give up a bottle or
sippy cup at bedtime, visit the Canadian Dental
Association - Early Childhood Tooth Decay at
www.cda- Do not use soothers or pacifiers once all baby teeth
adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/tooth_ have grown in, usually when your child is about 3
decay.asp. years old. After this age, regular use of a soother may
affect the child’s speech development and teeth
When will my child get teeth? positioning.
Children have their own schedule for teething. Most
Can fluoride help stop tooth decay?
children begin teething at about 6 months of age. Your
child should have all of their first set of teeth, or The Canadian Dental and Medical Associations and
“baby” teeth, by 3 years of age. The bottom front teeth the dental professionals of British Columbia
usually appear first, followed by the top front teeth. In recommend fluoride for preventing tooth decay for
total, 20 teeth should appear – 10 in the top jaw and 10 people of all ages.
in the bottom jaw.
Fluoride is a proven, effective and low-cost way to
For more information about when teeth come in, visit prevent cavities. Using the recommended amount of
Your Dental Health – Importance of Baby Teeth CDA fluoride toothpaste twice a day helps make tooth
Dental Care for Children - Dental Development: enamel stronger and better able to resist tooth decay.
www.cda- Some toothpastes do not have fluoride. Always check
adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/develo the label.
pment.asp.
Your dentist or dental professional may also apply
How can I comfort my baby when they are fluoride at regular dental visits.
teething?
Teething may cause some discomfort, making your In B.C., there is little natural fluoride and few cities
baby fussy. Your baby may feel better if allowed to add fluoride to the drinking water. If you are unsure if
chew on a clean, chilled teething ring, teething toy or your water supply contains fluoride, call your local
clean wet face cloth. Teething cookies or biscuits are public health unit. For more information on water
not a good choice because these can stick to your fluoridation, see HealthLinkBC File #28 Water
baby's teeth and cause tooth decay. Fluoridation Facts.

When should my child go to the dentist?

Teething does not cause fevers. If your baby has a
fever or diarrhea while teething, treat it as you would The Canadian Dental Association recommends regular
at any other time. If you have any questions or dental visits starting 6 months after your child’s first
concerns about your baby’s fever or diarrhea, call tooth appears or when they are about 1 year old. Your
8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse or contact your child’s first dental visit is a good time to discuss daily
health care provider. dental care, fluoride and eating habits.

What about soothers or pacifiers? For More Information

Soothers or pacifiers are sometimes given to babies Children in families who receive income assistance
during rest, sleep or other times. If you choose to give can apply for MSP supplementary benefits to receive
your baby a soother, here are a few tips: basic dental care through the Healthy Kids Program.
 Ensure that breastfeeding is well established For more information, call 1 866 866-0800 or visit
 Choose the right size soother for your baby’s mouth www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-
 Check the soother nipple often. Throw it away if it health/healthy-women-children/child-teen-
is sticky, cracked or torn health/dental-eyeglasses.
 Keep the soother clean
 Avoid dipping the soother in honey or other sweet For more information on dental care, please contact
substances that can cause tooth decay the dental program at your public health unit, your
 By age 1 or 2, if your child is using a soother, limit dentist or dental hygienist.
use to nap time or bedtime

For more HealthLinkBC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthlinkbcfiles or your local public health unit. For
non-emergency health information and advice in B.C. visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 (toll-free). For the
deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request.