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Answers on Toddlers and Dental Care

1. What is the importance of Primary (Baby) Teeth?

   While primary (baby) teeth will eventually all be lost by adolescence, it is very important that primary teeth are kept healthy and in place until they are lost naturally. Primary teeth serve a number of critical functions, including helping your child maintain good nutrition, permitting your child to chew properly, facilitating proper speech development, and framing appropriate space for proper development of subsequent permanent teeth. Besides serving as a foundation of good oral health, a healthy set of primary teeth will also help your child to feel good and confident about themselves. (Back to top)

2. How can I prevent tooth decay from a bottle or nursing?

   Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. Try to avoid having your child drinking juice from a bottle or falling asleep with a bottle. After the first primary (baby) teeth begins to erupt, try also to avoid all at-will nighttime breast-feeding. (Back to top)

3. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

   Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age. (Back to top)

4. Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?

   Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth and bite problems. Nevertheless, thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants. Most toddlers stop the activities by age 2. If your child does not, discourage the thumb sucking habit after age 4. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address prolonged thumb sucking habits. (Back to top)

5. When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

   The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush and water. Continue to help along as your child grows: most small children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. Unless advised by your child’s Pediatric Dentist otherwise, do not use fluoridated toothpaste until age 2-3. (Back to top)

6. Any advice on sore gums associated with baby teething?

   From six months to age three, your child may have sore gums as their teeth erupt. During this sensitive period, your children may be satisfied by being allowed to chew on clean teething rings, cool spoons, and/or cold wet washcloths. You may also use a clean finger to gently rub the sore areas. (Back to top)

7. What is the normal progression of teeth development in children?

   Below is a flash animation of normal teeth development in children linked from Livermore Kids Dentist. (Back to top)