Nancy F. Morse, M.A.
Instructor
Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois
Copyright/Access Information
Many childhood practices affect dental health. Well-informed providers
can help children to have healthy smiles.
Bottle mouth, the name for decayed front teeth, occurs mostly
in children nine months to three years old who use bottles for
comforting. When the child takes a bottle to bed or wanders around
with the bottle in his mouth, the liquid stays on the teeth for
a long while. Bacteria break down the carbohydrates in milk or
juice. This process causes acids to form. The acids break down
teeth and cause cavities. If children need a bottle for comforting,
it should contain only water. Substitute other comforters such
as a stuffed toy, soft cloth, or pacifier. Talk with parents before
deciding which comforter to use.
Sticky snacks that stick on teeth also cause cavities. Chewing
gum and chewy candies are never recommended. Children should brush
their teeth or rinse their mouths after eating some otherwise
healthy snacks like raisins and dried fruit. Apples, on the other
hand, act like a toothbrush, cleaning food from teeth.
Fear of dentists is not unusual in young children. Providers can
help children see that dentists are helpers. Talk with them about
going to the dentist in a calm, factual, and unafraid manner.
Children can play "dentists office," pretending to be
dentists, hygienists, and patients. Some county dental associations
have promotional materials. Check with your dentist to see what
is available in your area.
Encourage children to brush their teeth. Two-year-olds, who want
to do everything by themselves, should brush their own teeth.
But you should supervise closely and teach them the correct way
to do it. Have them brush after every meal. If that is impossible,
have children rinse their mouths carefully. Help toddlers brush,
and after babies have eaten, wipe their teeth with a soft cloth.
Each child needs her own toothbrush. Brushes should be changed
at least every three months.
Thumb-sucking can have unfortunate consequences. If a child sucks
his thumb after the age of three or four, discuss it with the
parents and encourage the child to stop. By the time that permanent
teeth come in (around five to six years of age), thumb-sucking
children are likely to develop an open bite. They may also develop
tongue-thrust swallowing, which aggravates the open bite. Long-term
thumb-sucking causes flaring of the upper teeth and changes the
anatomy of the upper jaw. Get the book *David Decides About Thumb-sucking*
by Susan Heitler. It offers helpful information about the situation
for parents and children. Orthodontists recommend the use of "orthodontic
pacifiers" because pacifiers are easier than thumbs to throw
away.
If an accident knocks a tooth loose, parents should talk to the
child's dentist. Usually, the teeth will survive, but the dentist
should check.
Thanks to Dr. Alan Broadbent and Dr. Robert Fleming, consultants
for this article.