Taking care of our children’s health is every parent’s top priority. Oral health is especially important to the well being, development and health of your child. Dr. Jeff Evans and Dr. Jeff Kunkel of California KIDDS Pediatric Dentistry have given us the tools to not only keep your children’s teeth healthy but lay the foundation for a lifelong and healthy dental routine.
Newborn to 12 months:
At bedtime wipe your baby’s gums and tongue after nursing or bottle feeding with a soft damp cloth or a tooth tissue like a Spiffies-baby tooth wipes. Starting this at a very young age, even before your baby has teeth, helps them to become accustomed to you caring for their mouth and can make brushing less of a battle when your child is older. It is also important to remember to do this even if your baby falls asleep while nursing. Once the teeth have begun to erupt and first foods are introduced it is critical to wipe the teeth and gums clean or use a soft tooth brush. Also avoid saliva sharing activities such as cleaning off a pacifier with your own mouth or sharing utensils between siblings or other family members. Saliva sharing activities can spread cavity causing bacteria from one person to another and can inoculate a baby with these bacteria increasing their chances of getting cavities at a very young age.
1 to 2 years of age:
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