Even babies can get tooth decay.
There are new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines regarding oral health and tooth decay prevention. These recommendations can help you instill good habits in your children.
Liquids:
Water: Serve water between meals (preferably fluoridated tap water).
Juice:
- Avoid juice intake before 1 years old.
- 1-3 years old: 4 ounces a day maximum
- 4-6 years old: 4-6 ounces a day maximum
- 7-18 years old: 8 ounces a day maximum
Fluoride
- Most bottled waters do not contain the amount of recommended fluoride.
- Fluoride toothpastes and rinses can help.
- Fluoride varnishes, applied by a dentist or pediatrician, can help.
Brushing
- 2x per day as soon as teeth erupt.
- Use a smear or grain-of-rice size amount of fluoride toothpaste increasing to pea-sized amount when a child reaches age 3.
- A Parent should assist/monitor brushing until a child turns 10 years old.
When to see a dentist:
The AAP recommends a child’s first dentist visit occur by the first birthday or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting.