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When will my baby's teeth appear?
Teeth normally start appearing when a baby
is about six months old; some babies start
teething earlier, some later. All 20 baby
teeth should appear by about 3 years of age.
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At what age are children at risk of getting
cavities?
Cavities can start to develop as soon as the
first tooth appears—at about 6 months of
age. Cavities are the most common chronic
disease of childhood.
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How are cavities caused?
Cavities are holes in the teeth that are
caused by tooth decay. Decay occurs when
bacteria in the mouth use the carbohydrates
(sugars and starches) found in certain foods
to make acid. This acid eats away at the
tooth enamel, causing pitted areas or holes.
Young children are more at risk for cavities
than adults because the enamel or outer
surface of the baby teeth is thinner than
adult teeth.
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Why is it important to take care of baby
teeth if they are going to fall out anyway?
Baby teeth help children to eat well, to
look nice and to learn how to speak clearly.
They also save a space for the adult teeth
that are developing under the gums. Keeping
baby teeth healthy is important because some
of these teeth may remain in the mouth until
the age of 12 or 13!
If teeth are not properly cared for, tooth
decay may develop. Tooth decay is
progressive and cavities get bigger when
untreated. If this decay is not treated, the
child may experience pain and could develop
an infection such as an abscess. Children
with decay may have problems eating,
sleeping and focusing because of this pain
and as a result, may not grow and develop
normally. A child with visible decay may
become self-conscious and not want to smile
or laugh.
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How should I take care of my baby’s teeth?
Keep their teeth clean and free of
cavity-causing bacteria. Once the first
tooth appears, brush your baby’s teeth twice
daily, especially before bed. Use a soft,
baby toothbrush with just a tiny dab of
fluoride toothpaste. Dentists recommend
increasing this to the size of a small pea
by the time a child is 3 years old. If your
child doesn't like the taste of the
toothpaste, try another brand.
Examine the teeth once a month. If you
notice white or brown spots on the teeth,
give your dentist a call. These spots could
be signs of early tooth decay.
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How can I prevent tooth decay in my baby’s
teeth?
Tooth decay is mostly preventable. The
simplest way to keep teeth healthy is to
keep them clean. You can do that by brushing
your baby’s teeth twice daily.
A major cause of tooth decay in infants
results from allowing the teeth to have
ongoing exposure to beverages such as milk
(whether from the bottle or breast), juice
or formula, all of which contain sugar. This
occurs when the bottle and sippy cup are
used as soothers to calm a child. Try other
methods of soothing—such as rocking your
child—and save the milk for feeding and
snack times. Especially problematic is the
practice of giving a bottle at sleep time.
Because saliva production reduces during
sleep, the liquids then sit on the teeth,
resulting in ongoing cavity-causing acid
attacks. If you are giving your baby a
bottle of milk at sleep time now, try
replacing the milk with water. You may need
to dilute the milk with water for the first
while.
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What’s the best way to brush my baby’s
teeth?
Brushing your baby’s teeth can be
challenging, but it is necessary to keep
teeth healthy. Brush at least twice daily
with fluoride toothpaste, especially before
bedtime. Find a position that is comfortable
and which allows you to gently brush their
teeth. It is often easier to brush a baby’s
teeth when they’re lying down. You could
try:
• holding your baby in your arms in the
feeding position
• laying your baby on a change table, making
sure they cannot fall off
• placing your baby on a couch or bed, with
their head in your lap
• sitting your baby in a high chair where
you can stand behind and brush
• Laying your baby on the floor with their
head on a pillow placed between your legs.
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When should I take my child to the dentist?
Take your baby to see a dentist by their
first birthday. If you notice white or brown
spots on their teeth, call your dentist for
an appointment right away. These spots could
indicate the start of a cavity.
At your baby’s first visit, the dentist and
their staff will give you tips on cleaning
your child’s teeth. If there are any
problems, your dentist can attend to them
early.
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Is juice recommended for young children?
Many parents are surprised to find that
juice can be harmful to their child’s teeth.
Juice, like milk, contains sugar. Juice is
not recommended to be given in a bottle or
even a sippy cup. When the child is old
enough to drink from a cup, health experts
recommend limiting juice to ½ cup a day and
giving it at meal time, not as a snack. Milk
is a better alternative for nutrition, and
water is recommended for quenching thirst.
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What form of fluoride is most effective for
my child and how much is needed?
Fluoride, a naturally occurring substance,
helps make teeth strong and more resistant
to tooth decay. In BC less than 4% of the
population has access to fluoride in their
water. Fluoride toothpastes are recommended
for all individuals. Fluoride can help
reverse or slow down early tooth decay in
children. Dentists recommend a tiny dab of
toothpaste for infants, and a small
pea-sized amount once they reach 3 years of
age.
Fluoride is also available in a supplement
form, including chewable tablets and drops,
and as a varnish, which is painted on the
teeth. Supplemental fluoride may be
recommended if your child is considered high
risk for tooth decay. Your dentist can
advise if your child would benefit from
fluoride supplements.
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Does breastfeeding have an impact on my
baby’s oral health?
Like cow’s milk, breast milk contains sugar
that can cause tooth decay if teeth are not
cared for properly. To keep healthy, babies
need nutrition and regular feeding times;
however, using a bottle, breast or sippy cup
of milk to sooth a child for an extended
period of time may expose the child to
ongoing cavity-causing liquids.
Breastfeeding on demand during sleep time
can be a risk factor for decay for the same
reasons that bottle feeding can be a
problem: there is less saliva in the mouth
to wash away the liquid which pools in the
mouth and causes multiple acid attacks.
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I’m pregnant. Can I do anything now to help
baby’s teeth grow in healthy?
You can pass on cavity-causing bacteria in
your mouth to your baby, so it is important
that you see your dentist to make sure your
mouth is in good shape and that you brush
your teeth twice a day with fluoride
toothpaste.
You can also help your child form healthy
baby teeth by including sources of calcium
and vitamin D in your diet. Calcium rich
foods include milk, cheese, yogurt and
almonds. Salmon, milk, egg yolks and
margarine are good sources of vitamin D.
On the arrival of your newborn, you can help
them become accustomed to having someone
work in their mouth by gently wiping their
gums and mouth daily. Use a clean, soft
cloth or gauze.
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Is my child at risk for cavities?
Your child may be at risk for cavities if
they eat a lot of sugary foods (such as
raisins, cookies, and candy), drink a lot of
sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and
punch, soda, milk and sweetened drinks) or
constantly snack.
Your child might also be at risk if he/she:
• was born early (prematurely) or weighed
very little at birth
• has ongoing special health care needs
• has white spots or brown areas on any
teeth
• does not go to the dentist very often
• comes from a family that eat a lot of
sugary foods and drinks, who have a lot of
cavities and who do not go to the dentist
very often
• eats very slowly or likes to keep food in
the mouth for a long time
• suffers from acid reflux (i.e., vomits
easily after eating)
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Why do some children have good teeth, in
spite of being given the bottle each night
in bed?
Some children are fortunate and do not have
the bacteria that cause decay.
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What can I do to help my teething child?
When teeth start to come in, they can cause
pain, fussiness and drooling. You can ease
your child's teething discomfort by:
• Giving them a cold teething ring to chew
• Rubbing their gums gently with a clean
finger
• Check with a health care provider before
using teething gels, tablets or ointments.
Don't give your baby teething cookies to
chew on. Most contain sugar, which promotes
tooth decay.
Teething usually does not cause a fever. If
your baby has a fever, you should talk to
your doctor.
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My baby drools a lot. Is that good or bad?
As babies grow, they produce more saliva
than they can swallow, which causes
drooling. If your baby is cranky or fussy,
and tends to chew or gnaw on their hands or
bottle, than they are likely teething.
Clean the drool from your baby’s face often
by dabbing, not wiping, with a soft cotton
cloth. Too much moisture on a baby’s
sensitive skin may cause rashes, dryness and
chapping.
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My baby has had a lot of ear infections and
fever in the past year. Will that have any
effect on her teeth?
Your baby might be more fussy and cranky
when she has an ear infection so it may be
more difficult to get her to sit or lay
still while you brush their teeth. However,
it is important that you continue to keep
her teeth healthy.
Ear infections are frequent at this age and
can be mistaken for teething pains. Babies
who tug at their ears while crying may have
an ear infection and need to see the doctor.
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