Infant Oral Health Care

Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children will stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or using a pacifier past the age of three, the doctors at Sporting Smiles can review methods of cessation with you – this may even include an appliance to prevent the habit from continuing.

Primary, or “baby,” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Primary teeth are “place holders” for permanent teeth that are expected to erupt around 11 and 12 years of age.

At Sporting Smiles, we stress the importance of starting healthy habits early. From the moment you bring your baby home, start cleaning your baby’s mouth even if he/she doesn’t have teeth. You can clean his/her gums and tongue with moistened gauze, cloth, or a silicone rubber fingertip toothbrush during bath-time.

When your child’s first tooth erupts, a toothbrush will remove bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least twice a day, but especially at bedtime. Children often do not have the manual dexterity needed to effectively clean their teeth. For this reason, we recommend brushing for your child until they are 8 years of age and flossing for them until they are 10 years of age.

Speak to the doctors at Sporting Smiles to learn more about fluoridated toothpaste and supplements. Supervised home care is essential in maintaining your child’s optimal oral health.

Baby bottle tooth decay (also called early childhood caries and nursing caries) occurs when a baby’s teeth are in frequent contact with sugars (fruit juices, milk, formula, flavored water, soda, or any other sweet drink). The bacteria in a baby’s mouth break down the sugar in these liquids, producing acid that causes tooth decay.

If left untreated, decayed teeth can cause pain and make it difficult to chew and eat. If baby teeth are decayed, become infected, or are lost early, they can cause harm to developing teeth and can’t help guide the permanent teeth into their proper position. Badly decayed baby teeth can become severely infected with the possibility of that infection spreading elsewhere.

Children should not be permitted to take a bottle to bed. Ideally, children should be weaned from the bottle by 12 months of age. Additionally, a ‘sippy cup’ should only be used to transition your child from the bottle to the cup. Scheduling your child’s first dental visit at Sporting Smiles by their first birthday is a great opportunity to learn how to keep your child happy, healthy, and cavity free.