A healthy pregnancy helps the development of healthy teeth
Teeth start developing in the first three months of pregnancy
A mother should eat nutritiously and avoid tobacco, alcohol and non-prescription drugs to ensure a healthy pregnancy
Visit your doctor and dentist regularly
Baby teeth are very important
The baby teeth start to erupt when a child is about six months old
Baby teeth help your child eat and speak, and are important for overall health
Healthy food makes healthy teeth
A well-balanced diet is important for the development of healthy teeth
Cheese, yogurt and milk contain calcium that make teeth hard and can help prevent cavities
Between meals, choose unsweetened unflavored milk or water instead of juice or pop
Fresh or unsweetened canned fruits and vegetables are excellent snacks
Feeding your baby
Clean the baby’s mouth and teeth following all feedings
Avoid letting your baby sleep at the breast or with a bottle of juice, formula, or milk as this can harm your baby’s teeth
If your baby normally falls asleep while feeding, brush his or her teeth before feeding
If your baby sleeps with a bottle, fill it with water
Reduce your child’s sugar intake
Germs in the mouth called bacteria feed on sugar from foods to make acid that harms teeth
Fruit is the best dessert
Limit fizzy drinks and natural fruit juices as they may contain sugar and acids that cause tooth decay
Avoid feeding your child snacks containing sugar or sweeteners such as honey
Save sweets for mealtimes, when they are less likely to harm your child’s teeth
Brush and floss your child’s teeth
Before the baby has any teeth, the gums should be wiped with a clean soft wet cloth after every feeding
Brushing should follow meals and snacks and sweetened medications
Use only a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste and be sure it is never swallowed. If your child routinely swallows it, do not use toothpaste
Once the sides of the baby teeth touch each other, flossing should take place at least once a day
Lift the lip and look
Watch for changes in color, lines or spots on your child’s teeth as these may be signs of a potential problem
If your child knocks out a tooth, call your dentist immediately! Gently rinse the tooth – do not brush or scrub.Wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and put it in a cup of milk and get it to the dentist immediately
Visit the dentist
A child should visit a dental office by the age of one year, or when the first teeth appear
Bring your child to the dentist for regular checkups to make sure there are no problems
Visits should continue from age two and a half when all the primary teeth are in the mouth
