You might be thinking, “I’m not even worried about teeth yet because well….they aren’t even there! What do you mean Baby needs home oral care, Dr. Diana?”
If you’ve read my cavity process blog, you’ll know that cavities = acid + teeth. Acid is produced by cavity-producing bacteria after they consume sugar.
We can set the stage for healthy teeth by limiting both sugar and bacteria from birth, so when those first teeth arrive, they enter a low-acid environment. How do we do that? Let’s dive in.
Bacteria
1. Sorry Grandma…no kissing please:
Adults have a well-established army of bacteria in their mouths. Passing those bacteria to our babies early can start their bacterial army too soon.
While kissing babies on the lips is a tradition in many cultures, it’s worth reconsidering. The same goes for licking dirty pacifiers to clean, sharing food or using the same utensils (like test tasting with Baby’s spoon).
2. Cleaning gums:
Babies produce less saliva than adults, which means milk and bacteria can stick more easily to their teeth.
Use a moist washcloth or gauze pad to gently wipe the residual milk or formula from their gums, cheeks and tongue at least twice a day.
3. Parents, your mouths matter too:
Research shows that moms with untreated cavities nearly double the odds of cavities in their children’.1 We highly encourage parents to visit the dentist regularly and work together as a family to lower cavity risks.
4. Prepare for first dental visit by age 1:
Wondering if you’re cleaning all effectively? That’s where your dentist comes in! A quick check-up can ensure you’re on the right track.
Your dentist may also discuss cavity risk factors, just like we do at Dentalgarten, so you’re set up for success!
Got questions? It could be about pacifiers, thumbsucking habits, juice or sippy cups. We can help with those too!
Sugar in Snacks
1. Real fruits not juice please
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies under 12 months should not have any juice. But you might be thinking “Isn’t juice made of fruit? Aren’t they the same?”. Unfortunately, juice typically has high sugar and low fiber content, which can cause diarrhea, obesity and cavities. For more information on diarrhea and obesity, please consult your pediatrician.
If your baby has started their solid food journey, the recommendation is to eat real fruit, which includes all the nutritional fiber.
Smoothies, unfortunately, fall into the same high-sugar, high-acid category (pH ~4). But if you love your smoothies, opt for low-acidity fruits and no added sugar! Check out my blog titled “Easy snack recipes…that are also healthy for teeth” for a smoothie recipe.
2. Original forms of milk, formula and pacifiers
We all want our babies to thrive. If a baby is struggling to drink milk or formula, parents may be tempted to add honey or sugar to make it more appealing.
Similarly, when introducing a pacifier, we might consider dipping it in honey. However, it’s best to avoid added sugar.
Frequent exposure to higher sugar content creates an acidic environment in the mouth throughout the day. Even though teeth aren’t present yet, early habits can be difficult to change once Baby’s teeth arrive.
Also, while Baby’s mouth may be just gums now, teeth could be growing. This can cause changes in Baby’s physical and mental well-being. Curious? Read my blog “Is my baby teething?”
Congratulations on your baby and the adventure ahead! We at Dentalgarten hope your family is blessed with a smooth transition into parenthood
If your baby already has teeth, you’re ready for the next blog titled “Eureka! I see the first tooth! Oral care for baby teeth”
References:
- Weintraub JA, Prakash P, Shain SG, Laccabue M, Gansky SA. Mothers' caries increases odds of children's caries. J Dent Res. 2010 Sep;89(9):954-8. doi: 10.1177/0022034510372891. Epub 2010 May 26. PMID: 20505046; PMCID: PMC3327504.
