Daily Oral Health Care for Toddlers

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• Oral Health Care Guide
• Pediatric Dentist: Dr. Lee

With good oral care, all children can grow up cavity-free. The habits you help them develop now will last throughout their lives.

To reduce the risk of oral infection and the development of Early Childhood Carries:

•    Keep your own teeth and gums as healthy as possible to minimize transmission of strep mutans bacteria.
•    Develop a routine for cleaning your baby's mouth. Wipe baby's mouth and gums using a clean, wet, cloth or piece of gauze after each feeding.
•    Gently clean newly erupted teeth with a gauze or washcloth, or use a small soft toothbrush (with no toothpaste) especially designed for baby teeth.
•     To make cleanings more pleasant for your baby, work together with another caregiver. Sit opposite each other knee-to-knee, with the child across your laps.
•     Keep non-nutritious, sugary fruit punches and other drinks out of baby bottles.
•     If you do use a bottle at naptime or bedtime (it is best not to), or a sip cup during the day, avoid juices, milk or formula - all of these contain some amount of sugar. Use plain water instead.
•     Reduce the frequency of nighttime feedings.
•     If your baby uses a soother, check the packaging and shape of the soother to be sure it has an orthodontic design. The best ones are nipple-shaped, keep the baby's lips closed and encourage natural nasal breathing.
•     Never dip soothers in anything sweet. Honey is one of the worst offenders.
•     If your baby is on liquid medication (usually sweetened for taste), rinse and brush the mouth with clear water immediately after the medication is given.
•     Check for early warning signs of ECC by lifting up baby's lips. White, chalky teeth signal a mild case; brown or black stained teeth indicate a more serious case. Contact your dental hygienist immediately.
•     Gradually introduce foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables to the diet. These foods, which require chewing hard or chewing long, stimulate saliva to flow, which removes the acid and returns cavity-protecting calcium to the teeth.
  
  * Contributed by The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association