baby teeth
Even though they are temporary, toddlers' "pearly whites" are precious and dental care is important from the very moment they appear. It's not just brushing that's required, bottles, dummies and diet can all play a role in how healthy a toddler's teeth are.
Toddler tooth decay - is it really serious?
Some parents persist in the belief that baby teeth are disposable - it's only adult teeth that require care. Nothing could be further from the truth. Tooth decay in toddlers can lead to pain and, if teeth are lost early, poor self esteem. Baby teeth also play a role in helping the adult teeth to emerge straight, so looking after baby teeth can pay dividends in avoiding orthodontists' bills later in life!
Bottles are a dental no-no
Dentists recommend that parents phase out bottles after children turn one. While drinking formula is still fine, it's the slow and steady flow of fluid out of the bottle, which pools around the teeth, which causes problem for later tooth decay. The best idea is to switch to a sipper cup at around your toddler's first birthday.
Any liquids which contain sugar are a problem for teeth, especially if they are allowed to have prolonged contact. Sugary drinks like juice or soft drink are obviously bad for tooth decay, but formula and even breast milk both contain sugar.
Dentists recommend that children never be allowed to fall asleep with a bottle, or be allowed to walk around with a bottle, constantly sipping. They also recommend against constant breastfeeding or allowing a toddler to fall asleep on the breast.
Brushing your toddler's teeth - early and often
As soon as baby teeth appear, it is wise to begin a brushing routine. Brushing not only sets up good habits for later in life, but removes harmful food particles from between the teeth and introduces topical fluoride in the form of toothpaste. It's best to use a toothpaste specifically recommended for toddlers because they are lower in fluoride than the adult version.
Many toddlers like the taste of toothpaste, or are unable to spit, either way they end up ingesting too much fluoride. Excessive amounts of fluoride can lead to flourosis which discolours the teeth.
When you are teaching your toddler to brush, use a soft bristled brush specifically designed for little mouths. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth in a gentle circular motion, then move on to the chewing surface of the teeth.
That's all well and good if your toddler is co-operative. Many toddlers won't stand still long enough for a proper tooth brushing. Many parents find that brushing teeth in the bath gives a better chance of the toddler remaining still long enough to get at least one thorough brushing each day.
Dental visits
Dentists recommend children begin visiting the dentist from the age of two. That allows a dentist to monitor how the teeth are growing, as well as providing a valuable opportunity for an adult (other than a parent) to explain the importance of dental hygiene.
Thumbs and dummies
Thumb and dummy sucking are perfectly normal activities for babies, and are not usually harmful to teeth as long as dummies are not dipped in honey or other sugary substances. Thumb and finger sucking usually stops naturally around age two, but if your child is still in the habit after that, it might be worth making an effort to get it to stop. If a toddler is still sucking a thumb or dummy by the time adult teeth erupt, it can lead to abnormalities in the way the mouth and jaw develop.
