Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are important for:

• smiling,
• eating,
• talking, and
• maintaining the space for permanent teeth.

Healthy baby teeth are necessary to allow your child to chew food properly. Most children have some of their baby teeth until they are at least 12 years old. Baby teeth that have been taken out early may affect your child's speech. Baby teeth maintain the space for adult teeth to come into the mouth in the correct position. Baby teeth that are decayed should be treated by the dentist before the teeth start to hurt or become infected.

Tips for healthy teeth:

• From birth until the first tooth appears, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe your baby's gums daily.
  

• Once teeth appear, when your child has finished feeding, do not allow milk from the breast or bottle to pool in your baby’s mouth.  When milk sits on a baby’s teeth (e.g., while falling asleep) the natural sugar in the milk can cause decay. If you choose to use bottles, hold your baby during feeds.

• As soon as teeth appear, brush your child's teeth at least twice a day, especially before bedtime, using a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush.  

• Children under three years old should have their teeth brushed by an adult.
• For infants and children under three years of age, talk to your dental professional about the best way to brush your child’s teeth, and whether use of toothpaste is appropriate.
• A dental provider may recommend using a minimal amount of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) if the child is at high-risk for tooth decay.
  
• Lift your child's upper lip and look to see if white or brown spots are on the teeth; these may be the first signs of a cavity. If you see any, take your child to the dentist.
• Children three to eight years old need an adult's assistance and supervision while brushing with a children's fluoride toothpaste. Use only a small amount of toothpaste (the size of a small green pea), and encourage them to spit out the excess. 
• Have your child rinse with water after taking liquid medications or using an inhaler, especially if taken on a regular basis (e.g., iron supplements, antibiotics, etc.).
• Take your child for their first visit to the dentist by their first birthday and visit the dentist regularly.
• Talk to your dentist about preventive fluoride treatments.
• Offer your child a variety of nutritious snacks from Canada's Food Guide, such as vegetables, fruit, milk, water, cheese and crackers, or bread with hummus.

Resources:

• The Eruption of Baby Teeth - Ontario Dental Association