Dental hygiene

Around 2% of children close to 2 years old already have at least one cavity. By age 3, this number rises to 28%, and by age 5 it goes up to 50%.

Parents often downplay the importance of cavities in baby teeth, since they will eventually fall out. This is a mistake, as cavities in baby teeth can cause problems with permanent teeth and overall dental health.

Teaching good dental hygiene

It’s very important to teach your child about the need for good dental hygiene from an early age. Doing so will make it easier for the child to pay proper attention to their teeth for life. However, even if your child happily brushes their teeth, you can’t let your guard down—parents must always monitor and ensure that cleaning is done properly. Plaque must be removed, as it usually contains bacteria that cause cavities. If you notice brown or white spots, these may be signs of cavities.

Brushing

As soon as a child has a tooth, brushing should begin twice a day with a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste on a special soft-bristled toothbrush for children, which won’t hurt their gums. There are brushes designed to meet the different needs of children of all ages. Once you understand this, it’s easier to choose the right one for your child.

Toothpaste

At age 3, you can start using a minimal amount of fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities. If your child doesn’t like the taste of one toothpaste, try another flavor or just use water. Also try teaching your child not to swallow it, even though children this age are usually too young to rinse and spit. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause white or brown spots to appear on the child's adult teeth.

Brushing motion

You’ll get all kinds of advice about brushing direction—up and down, back and forth, or in circles. The truth is, the direction isn’t what matters. What matters is that each tooth is cleaned thoroughly—up and down, inside and out. This is where children may resist, as they will likely focus only on the front teeth they can see. By the way, children cannot brush their teeth on their own until they are older—around 6 to 8 years old. Make sure to supervise or do the brushing if needed.

The problem with sugar

Besides regular brushing with the right amount of toothpaste, your child’s diet plays a key role in dental health. Sugar is the number one enemy—and the more it appears in the diet, the higher the chances of cavities. Foods with “sticky sugar” like candy, gum, and dried fruit can be very harmful to teeth. Always brush your child’s teeth after eating sugary foods. Also, don’t let your child drink sugary liquids from a sippy cup for long periods.

Dental checkup

The pediatrician will examine your child’s teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy. If they notice any issues, they may refer you to a pediatric dentist or a general dentist who focuses on children’s dental needs. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that all children see a pediatric dentist and establish a “dental home” within the first year of life.

At the checkup, the dentist will want to ensure proper development and health of the teeth and gums, and will advise parents on how to handle various hygiene-related situations. Sometimes, dentists apply a fluoride solution to provide extra protection against cavities.