Preventive Dentistry for Children and Teenagers
You and Your Child
Checklist

Birth to 6 Months
  • Clean the baby's mouth with a gauze or washcloth after feedings and at bedtime. Teeth begin to erupt at 4-8 months of age.
  • Regulate feeding habits and do not encourage between feeding snacks or beverages containing large amounts of sugar.
  • Offer you baby water on a regular basis - they should drink as much water as they do milk or juices.
  • Do not put your child to bed with a baby bottle. I would suggest feeding your child with the bottle or breast-feeding them - then change their diaper, put on pajamas, wipe out their mouth or brush their teeth and gums with a soft bristle brush, offer them a bottle of water then place them in bed.
  • Do not breast feed your child to sleep because breast milk also has sugar (lactose) in it - just as cow's milk has sugar (lactose) in it.
  • If your child wants to suck their thumb, offer them a pacifier.
6 to 12 Months
  • Your child's first tooth should appear at age 4-8 months.
  • Begin brushing the teeth after each feeding with a water dampened small soft-bristled brush.
  • Baby begins to walk. I would recommend not allowing your toddler to carry a baby bottle or sippy cup while walking about because they could fall and injure their mouth and increase their risk of early childhood tooth decay.
12 to 18 Months
  • Wean your baby from the breast or bottle at age 12 months. If you want to continue breast-feeding, be certain to brush the teeth after each feeding.
  • See your dentist for your baby's first dental examination at age 12-15 months.
  • Start using a pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste when the child is able to rinse - especially at bedtime.
  • Give your toddler healthy snacks and do not allow them to chew gum.
  • Stop pacifier use at age 12 months of age or earlier. Prolonged pacifier use can cause dental malformations, poor oral habits and encourage or promote ear infections.
24 Months
  • Most or all of the primary teeth have erupted.
  • Follow the schedule of exams and cleanings recommended by your pediatric dentist.
  • Early dental examinations and cleanings when there are not cavities present is the only way you can insure that your child will have a positive and comfortable first experience with a dentist.
If you want more information, please feel free to contact us
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