Good Oral Health For Infants And Young Children Starts Early!

Helpful Brushing Tips

Even before your baby’s teeth show, you should clean the gums with a damp cloth after
meals and at bedtime.

Your dentist can show you how.

Baby teeth are important and once teeth show, you should clean them with a soft-bristled
toothbrush (without toothpaste) after meals and at bedtime.

It is good to wean your child from pacifiers and the bottle between 9 and 12 months of age.

Helpful Sleeping Tips

Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle because it causes baby bottle tooth decay, which causes pain and infection. Try one of these instead:

  • Offer a blanket or favorite toy
  • Give baby a warm bath
  • Rock baby to sleep
  • As a last resort, allow WATER ONLY in the bottle
It may take about 3 to 7 nights of the child crying to break the bedtime bottle habit.

Starting regular dental care as soon as possible is good for your child’s health. The
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children have a dental home
and their first check-up with the dentist by age one when possible.
 
A dental home is a dentist your child sees regularly every six months for check-ups.
This dentist will take care of your child by providing the dental services he or she needs
and always being available to care for your child. So don’t wait! Find a CoverKids dentist
in your community today and establish a dental home for your child.

Remember a dental home provides your child:
  • Complete dental care and a dental plan designed for your child
  • Guidance about growth, development, and diet
  • How to correctly care for your child’s teeth