Dental Health Overview

Most pediatric dentists will agree that regular dental care should begin by one year of age, with a dental check-up at least twice each consecutive year for most children. Some children may need more frequent evaluations and care. In accordance with this recommendation, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has provided the following dental checklist for infants and toddlers:

Birth to six months of age

• Clean the infant's mouth with gauze or use a soft infant toothbrush after feedings and at bedtime.

• Consult your child's pediatrician or pediatric dentist regarding fluoride supplements.

• Regulate feeding habits (bottle-feeding and breastfeeding).

Six to 12 months of age

• During this time, the first tooth should appear. Consult a pediatric dentist for an examination.

• Brush teeth after each feeding and at bedtime with a small, soft-bristled brush.

• As the child begins to walk, stay alert for potential dental and/or facial injuries.

• Wean the child from the bottle by his or her first birthday. (If a woman breastfeeds her child, the AAPD recommends breastfeeding for at least one year. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least two years.) 

Twelve to 24 months of age

• Follow the schedule of dental examinations and cleanings, as recommended by your child's pediatric dentist. Generally, dental examinations and cleanings are recommended every six months for children and adults.

• As your child learns to rinse his or her mouth, and as most primary (baby) teeth have erupted by this age, brushing with a pea-sized portion of fluoridated toothpaste becomes appropriate, in most cases. However, it is advised to consult your child's pediatric dentist regarding the appropriate time for your toddler to begin using toothpaste.

Facts about deciduous (primary or baby) teeth

• Proper care of a child's deciduous teeth (also known as "baby" or primary teeth) is very important, as these teeth hold space for the future eruption of permanent teeth.

• If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment.

• Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits, and weaker teeth.

• Primary teeth are important in speech development.

• Primary teeth aid in chewing food properly, promoting healthy nutrition.

• Most children begin losing their baby teeth around the ages of five or six, with usually the front teeth first. They continue to lose baby teeth until the age of 12 or 13 when all of the permanent teeth finally come through, except for the third molars (wisdom teeth). These molars begin to appear around the ages of 17 to 21.

Diet and dental care for children

The AAPD recommends the following to ensure your child eats correctly to maintain a healthy body and teeth:

• Ask your child's pediatric dentist to help you assess your child's diet.

• Shop smart. Do not routinely stock your pantry with sugary or starchy snacks.

• Buy "fun foods" just for special times.

• Limit the number of snacks and choose nutritious snacks.

• Provide a balanced diet, and save foods with sugar or starch for mealtimes.

• Do not put your young child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice.

• If your child chews gum or sips soda, choose those without sugar.