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from the Academy of General Dentistry


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Know Your Teeth Academy of General Dentistry Know Your Teeth

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Is My Child at Risk for Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

 
Chapter: Tips to Reduce Childhood Decay

  • Wean a child from the bottle or breast by age 1.

  • Use spill-proof cups as a transitional step in the development of children, not a long-term solution.

  • Don't allow children to use spill-proof cups throughout the day. Save spill-proof cups for snack and mealtimes when increased salivary activity helps clean teeth.

  • Drink sugary beverages through a straw. The best spill-proof cups to protect against decay are those with collapsible rubber straws.

  • Introduce oral health care habits early. Wipe baby's gums with a damp cloth after every feeding. Introduce brushing with a soft-bristle brush and water when the first tooth appears. Parents can add a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste to the toothbrush by age 2.

Reviewed: January 2012