In-the-know for your infant’s oral care

A: Many experts recommend breast-feeding over bottle-feeding for the overall health of your child. However, breast-feeding may lead to Early Childhood Tooth Decay in the same way as bottle-feeding.

To prevent Early Childhood Tooth Decay:

• Avoid overnight feeding, such as bringing baby to bed with you and allow him/her to nurse at will. Milk can "pool" in the child's mouth and cause acid to form continuously throughout the night. This acid leads to decay.
• After you breast-feed, you still need to clean baby's gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth; a finger cot; or a gauze square.
• It is recommended that you encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.

A: Thumbsucking is normal for infants; most stop on their own by age 2.

• If your child sucks his/her thumb beyond age 2, try to discourage it by age 4.
• Thumbsucking beyond age 4 can lead to crooked, crowded teeth and/or bite problems.

A: Yes, but don't dip it in sugar, honey, or sweetened liquid. In addition:

• Try to have your child give up the pacifier by age 2.
• Keep in mind that while a pacifier and thumbsucking create no health difference for the child, a pacifier may be a better choice because it can be easier to wean child from a pacifier than from thumbsucking.

A: Begin cleaning baby's gums within the first few days of birth.

• Use a clean, wet washcloth, a finger cot, or a gauze square. This gets the baby used to having his/her mouth feel clean!
• Daily brushing should begin once the first tooth has erupted — but continue to clean and massage gums where there are no teeth yet.

A: Use a small, soft-bristled brush. Use a circular or wiggling motion on all tooth surfaces, especially where the tooth meets the gumline. Once your toddler is able to spit out, use a pea-sized amount of a toothpaste recommended by your dentist on the brush. Families should ask their dentist to demonstrate proper brushing technique during the child's dental visit.

A: Yes. Decay-causing germs can be transmitted through contact — like when baby puts hands in your mouth, and then in his/her own mouth. That's why it's so important to keep your own teeth and gums healthy.

In addition, research has shown that since a pregnant woman shares blood with her unborn baby, any infection of the mouth — such as tooth decay or gum (periodontal) problem — can affect the baby. According to the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health, oral problem/infection has also been linked to such conditions as preterm, low birth weight babies.

A: When your child is able to spit. A toothpaste recommended by your dentist is safe and helps keep teeth strong, but only at appropriate levels. Younger toddlers tend to swallow toothpaste in excessive amounts, and this may lead to fluorosis, which causes discoloration of the teeth.