Toddlers
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(13-24 months)
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Below you will find simple and effective tips to help prevent cavities.
For more detailed information, go to the Videos section
Brushing/Flossing
* Give your child a toothbrush and let your child practice brushing. Once finished, properly brush all of your baby's teeth, all 5 surfaces (front, back, top and sides), twice a day, with a soft baby toothbrush. When brushing, the key is to remove all food particles as well as any sugary or acidic liquid from your baby's teeth twice a day. Children cannot properly brush their teeth on their own at this time. You must be involved in this process.
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* You can brush your baby's teeth with a baby toothpaste WITHOUT fluoride. Toothpaste with fluoride should only be introduced once your child is able to spit. Swallowing toothpaste can be toxic and can affect your child's permanent teeth.
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*LIFT YOUR BABY'S LIPS when brushing the front teeth so that you can reach the areas of the teeth that are closest to the gums. Cavities tend to form right along the gum line.
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*Your child will most likely fight during the brushing process. Do not let that discourage you. Eventually your child will realize that the routine is not going to change.
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* Begin to introduce kid flossers at this point. Flossing your child's teeth is essential when teeth are in full contact with each other. Let your child try it and then floss between the teeth even if your child doesn't have tight contacts.
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Teething
* You can expect to see additional teeth erupt in the
front and the back of the mouth. Your baby will have
a total of 10 teeth in the top jaw (Maxilla) and 10 teeth in the bottom jaw (Mandible).
* Teething tends to stop when all 20 teeth have
come into the mouth.
* Your child will continue to need help with teething (see previous recommendations).
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Dental Visit
* If your child has not had the FIRST DENTAL VISIT yet, make an appointment as soon as possible.
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* Recare appointments are very important every 6 months. Your child's teeth will be professionally cleaned, oral hygiene instructions will be reviewed, and you will be informed of any issues that are present. In baby teeth, small cavities can grow faster than in adult teeth, so it is very important to restore the cavities as early as possible.
Nutrition
* Avoid introducing your child to sweets for as
long as possible. Your child will not miss out on something your child has never had. Children will get plenty of time in the future to enjoy all types of sweets.
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* Do not let your baby drink fruit juices, sodas,
sweet teas, coffee, or any type of sugary drinks in the baby bottle. SODAS and ACIDIC DRINKS can be extremely damaging to your child's teeth.
* Cavities are formed by the acid that is produced when bacteria in our mouths ingest the sugar that we leave in our mouths after every meal. We have to properly remove the foods/drinks from our teeth, twice a day, to prevent cavities.
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3rd Birthday
* By the age of 3, most children have their entire set
of baby teeth present, 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom.
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* Everything that happens to this set of teeth can affect the next set of teeth in a positive or negative way.
Daily oral care is essential to prevent cavities.
