Answers to Your Infant Dental Care Questions

06/22/2014

When my daughter was 2 months old we went in to see the Public Health Nurse and she asked us if we were regularly cleaning her gums. As first time parents we hadn’t started to think about caring for her gums, we thought we would start when her first teeth came in. But as I learned more about cavities in infants and children I realized how important it is to start caring for your babies gums and teeth once they arrive right away. To get more information I spoke with Julie Laberge-Lalonde, Dental Health Educator with Population and Public Health to get some answers to some commonly asked dental questions.

1. When babies start to develop teeth, should you start brushing right away?
It is important to start a regular routine of mouth care even before the first tooth appears. Your baby’s mouth will feel better if you clean the mouth by wiping your baby’s gums and cheeks with a soft, moist, clean cloth.

2. At what age do you start brushing?
As soon as the first tooth appears, the parent can begin using a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Parents must continue to clean their child’s teeth every day up to the age of 8 years.

3. What type of toothbrush do you recommend?
Small (age-appropriate), soft-bristled toothbrush

4. Are pacifiers harmful for long term teeth development of babies?
Long periods of pacifier use may affect a baby’s oral growth and development and jaw formation.

5. Should I discourage thumb sucking, because I hear it has long term consequences in terms of tooth development?
Thumb and finger sucking is usually not a concern, unless any of the following are present:
• Sucking that is forceful enough to cause a dent or callous on the thumb or finger.
• Sucking continuously during the day.
• Sucking throughout the night rather than just at bedtime.
• Sucking that changes the position of the teeth, or the shape of the mouth and/or lips.
• Sucking along with a tongue thrusting (when the tongue moves past the front teeth when speaking or swallowing) and speech problems.
Even if you do not notice changes to your child’s mouth, it is best if your child stops sucking his thumb or finger before the permanent teeth come in. If you are concerned that your child may be sucking too hard, too long, too often or is unable to give up the habit, you should consult a health professional.

6. What is wrong with leaving a bottle in the crib with my baby? Does it damage tooth development?
When a baby uses a bottle for long periods, especially during rest or sleep times, cavities can develop if teeth are not cleaned daily.

7. How should I encourage good dental hygiene for my baby?
Your baby’s teeth can begin to decay from the first day they grow in. It is important to start a regular routine of mouth care even before the first tooth appears. Your baby’s mouth will feel better if you clean the mouth by wiping your baby’s gums and cheeks with a soft, moist, clean cloth.

8. Is it too early to start under a year?
It is important to start a regular routine of mouth care even before the first tooth appears. A child’s first tooth will grow in (erupt) at about six to ten months.

9. Do all babies get teeth at the same time?
A child’s first tooth will grow in (erupt) at about six to ten months. Most babies will have 12 teeth by 18 months. All 20 baby teeth should be present by 3 years of age.

10. Should I worry if my child has too many/too little?
Your oral health professional would monitor your child’s dental growth and development and advise you accordingly.

11. When should I bring my child to the dentist/hygenist for the first time?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child’s first visit to the dentist by age one. The goal is to introduce your child to the dental office before a problem develops.

12. What types of services do you provide for babies?
At this time the dentist can have a quick look at your child’s mouth and give helpful advice on good mouth care.