Lesia Oesterreich, M.S.
Family Life Extension Specialist
Human Development and Family Studies
Iowa State University
Copyright/Access Information
Lessons on care of teeth can happen naturally in a family child
care program. Daily care for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers
should involve eating healthy foods and brushing teeth after meals
at your home.
The two lower front teeth usually appear between 3 and 12 months
of age. By 2 years of age children generally have at least 16
teeth. By 3 years of age children will have all 20 "primary"
teeth. These teeth are very important even though they will be
replaced later with permanent teeth.
Baby teeth help children eat properly, assist in speech development,
act as space maintainers for permanent teeth, and improve appearance.
When infants or young children are allowed to suck for prolonged
periods on a bottle or sweetened pacifier, they can develop severe
tooth decay. This decay is often quite painful and can damage
all of a child's primary teeth. Severe toothache, cavities, loss
of teeth, crooked
permanent teeth, and possible ear and speech problems can occur.
At times, the damage can be so severe that hospitalization may
be necessary.
Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by following these rules in your
home:
Start cleaning an infant's teeth as soon as the first tooth
erupts. Wipe with a piece of gauze or a clean washcloth at first.
As soon as the child adjusts to the daily routine of teeth cleaning,
begin using a small toothbrush.
Toddlers and infants are likely to express a lot of interest in
the care of teeth. They love to watch adults and older children
brush and floss their teeth. Capitalize on this early interest
to teach dental care, which can lead to good dental habits later
on.
Each child should have a personal toothbrush labeled with her
name. Dentists generally recommend a small toothbrush with soft,
nylon bristles. Replace worn brushes every 3 to 4 months.
Use a fluoridated toothpaste and place only a smear on the brush.
Teach children to brush their teeth in a circular motion on both
the inside and outside surfaces of teeth and gums. Remind children
to brush top to bottom and back to front. This habit will help
ensure that all tooth surfaces are brushed. A quick brush on the
tongue and a swish of water will complete the job. Whenever it
is not possible to brush after eating, have children rinse out
their mouths with water.
Store toothbrushes with bristle head end up and not touching each
other. If you do not have an adequate holder, make one out of
a small cube-shaped box (cutoff "boutique" tissues box).
Punch holes on top for each brush. An upside down egg carton also
works well as a holder.Wash brushes at least once a week with
soap and water. Washing brushes in the dishwasher may be convenient.
Remember to rinse well with water.
Check to see if your community fluoridates its water. Floride
helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Fluoride
in drinking water can reduce tooth decay by 15 to 40 percent.
If you do not have fluoride in your water, discuss with parents
the possibility of using fluoride drops or tablets.
A word of caution about fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste
is helpful in preventing tooth decay, but make sure that children
under the age of 3 do not swallow it. Swallowing fluoride toothpaste
can result in mottled or spotted and discolored teeth.
Sucking is nature's way of providing children with pleasure and security. Children frequently suck their thumb even in the womb. Thumb sucking should cause little concern in the early years, and most children will gradually wean themselves from this habit. After age 5, however, thumb sucking can affect the development of permanent teeth and jaws. Children who continue to suck their thumb by age 5 should be gently discouraged from continuing this habit.
Eating healthy foods is directly related to having and maintaining
healthy teeth. Avoid or limit sweet drinks, candy, jelly, jam,
cake, cookies, sugared gelatin, and sticky fruits such as dates
or raisins. When you do serve sweets, make sure that children
eat them at one sitting. Eating a cookie at snack time is better
than sucking on a lollipop or hard candy all afternoon.