Babies are born without the bacteria that cause dental caries – the disease that leads to cavities. Caregivers pass on germs by sharing saliva – often by sharing spoons when testing food before feeding it to babies, by cleaning off a pacifier in their mouth instead of with water, and through other activities where saliva is shared.
These germs can then start the process that causes cavities even before babies have teeth, so it is important to avoid sharing saliva with your baby right from the start.
To prevent cavities in your child, follow these recommendations:
- Do not share feeding utensils
- Avoid cleaning off a pacifier with your mouth
- For infants, use a wet gauze or washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums.
- Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle but if you do, definitely don’t fill it with anything other than water.
- For older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day.
- Watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children.
Begin daily brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth erupts. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until around age 8. However, each child is different. We can help you determine when your child is brushing properly.