DENTAL CARE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

Dental care for babies and toddlers is important to prevent Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of dental caries that can destroy the milk teeth of toddlers and preschool children. Babies who have heavy loads of bacteria in their mouths are at risk. Certain faulty dietary habits such as excessive sweets and milk intake also add to the risk for developing ECC. Hence dental care for babies and toddlers mainly aims at: 

1. Minimizing the cavities causing bacteria by proper oral hygiene maintenance

2. Following the correct dietary habits

 

 

Start it during pregnancy itself! Wondering why?

Though the baby acquires the cavities causing bacteria mostly from the mother, father  is also in close contact with the baby and may also pass some bacteria to baby. Hence both parents should maintain optimum oral hygiene for their baby’s healthy teeth.

Recommendations for parent’s oral health:

1.       Visit your dentist for routine check ups.

2.      Get the appropriate treatment done for all existing cavities.

3.      Optimize oral hygiene at home by twice daily brushing (must at night!) and flossing.

4.      Take dietary precautions for avoiding frequent snacking of sweets.

5.      Ensure adequate fluoride exposure by using fluoridated toothpaste and a mouthwash as per your dentist’s prescription.

Recommendations for baby’s oral health:       

1.       Clean your baby’s gums and tongue regularly even before eruption of teeth.

2.      Start cleaning teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts.

3.      Avoid giving sugar-containing beverages (e.g, milk with sugar added, juices) in a baby bottle.

4.      Do not put baby to sleep with a bottle filled with milk or liquids containing sugars.

5.      On demand breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary tooth begins to erupt and other dietary carbohydrates are introduced. 

6.      Start using small amount of fluoride toothpaste as the child learns to spit.

7.      Take your baby for the first routine dental visit around his/her 1^st birthday.

Learn more about the details of each of these recommendations in the next blog!