Decay in Primary (Baby) Teeth
Tooth decay can occur as
soon as teeth appear in the mouth.
Frequent and prolonged
exposure of a child’s teeth to fruit juices, milk, and formula can contribute
to kids getting early cavities. When a
baby is put to sleep with a bottle containing juice or milk the child is much
more likely to get early cavities (baby bottle tooth decay).
Preventing Decay in Primary (Baby) Teeth
Never put a baby to bed
with a bottle containing anything other than water.
Switch from a bottle to a
cup by one year of age.
The ideal situation is to
limit the use of a training cup (sippy cup).
The best approach is to switch to a regular cup as soon as
possible.
Finger & Thumb Sucking Habits
Finger and thumb sucking
is a normal reflex of infants and young children to bring a sense of security
and relaxation. The frequency, duration,
and intensity of sucking will determine the degree of possible dental problems. The optimal time to stop any sucking habits
is by three years of age.
Helping a Child Stop Sucking
Focus on praising children
when they are not sucking fingers or thumbs
Provide comfort to
children to eliminate anxiety. Anxiety may
contribute to sucking habits
Reward children who
refrain from sucking
Talk with your dentist
regarding additional therapies or treatment that may benefit your child
The next blog will discuss proper diets and cover toothbrushing
techniques for children. Please contact
our office with any questions and for your free infant dental kit. We are located in Bloomington near the
College Mall, next to Goodwill.
-Dr. Matt
Matthew L.
Rasche DDS, MSD
Certified, American Board of Pediatric
Dentistry
Southern Indiana
Pediatric Dentistry
(812) 333-KIDS (5437)
