Pediatric Dentistry Recommendations
Pediatric dentists recommend that regular dental check-ups and cleanings should begin by one year of age and continue every six months thereafter.
Some children may need dental care beginning with the eruption of their first tooth and some may need care more often than every six months.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends:
FROM BIRTH TO 6 MONTHS
Clean the infant’s mouth with gauze after feedings and at bedtime
Consult the child’s pediatrician regarding fluoride supplements
Regulate feeding habits (bottle and breast feeding)
6 TO 12 MONTHS
First tooth should appear
Consult pediatric or general dentist for an examination and cleaning
Brush teeth after each feeding and at bedtime with a small, soft bristled brush
Floss teeth when two teeth are side by side.
As child begins to walk, watch for dental or facial injuries
Wean the child from breast or bottle by their first birthday
12 TO 24 MONTHS
Dental examination and cleanings every six months
Brushing with a pea size portion of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended
36 MONTHS
Child should be learning how to brush their own teeth and should be brushing their own teeth by 4 years old
OTHER FACTS ABOUT BABY TEETH
Proper care of a child’s baby teeth is very important as they maintain the space for the future eruption of permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, due to decay or accident, the space necessary for the permanent tooth is lost and then is only maintained or regained by the use of an orthodontic appliance. Infected baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to develop with stains or tooth decay susceptibility.
Most children begin to lose their baby teeth around age 5 or 6, usually the front teeth first. They continue to lose all their baby teeth by age 12-13 when all the permanent teeth have erupted.
HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT DIET
1. Do not routinely stock your pantry with sugary or starchy snacks. Allow sugar and starchy foods only at mealtime.
2. Limit the number of snack times and choose nutritious snacks.
3. Do not put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy-cup of milk, formula or juice. Wean off bottle by age 1.
4. If your child chews gum or sips soda, choose those without sugar.
Some children may need dental care beginning with the eruption of their first tooth and some may need care more often than every six months.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends:
FROM BIRTH TO 6 MONTHS
Clean the infant’s mouth with gauze after feedings and at bedtime
Consult the child’s pediatrician regarding fluoride supplements
Regulate feeding habits (bottle and breast feeding)
6 TO 12 MONTHS
First tooth should appear
Consult pediatric or general dentist for an examination and cleaning
Brush teeth after each feeding and at bedtime with a small, soft bristled brush
Floss teeth when two teeth are side by side.
As child begins to walk, watch for dental or facial injuries
Wean the child from breast or bottle by their first birthday
12 TO 24 MONTHS
Dental examination and cleanings every six months
Brushing with a pea size portion of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended
36 MONTHS
Child should be learning how to brush their own teeth and should be brushing their own teeth by 4 years old
OTHER FACTS ABOUT BABY TEETH
Proper care of a child’s baby teeth is very important as they maintain the space for the future eruption of permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, due to decay or accident, the space necessary for the permanent tooth is lost and then is only maintained or regained by the use of an orthodontic appliance. Infected baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to develop with stains or tooth decay susceptibility.
Most children begin to lose their baby teeth around age 5 or 6, usually the front teeth first. They continue to lose all their baby teeth by age 12-13 when all the permanent teeth have erupted.
HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT DIET
1. Do not routinely stock your pantry with sugary or starchy snacks. Allow sugar and starchy foods only at mealtime.
2. Limit the number of snack times and choose nutritious snacks.
3. Do not put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy-cup of milk, formula or juice. Wean off bottle by age 1.
4. If your child chews gum or sips soda, choose those without sugar.
