Research has proven that the earlier a baby is exposed to cavity-causing bacteria, the higher chances they have of experiencing early childhood caries. Babies acquire oral bacteria by exposure to older individuals’ bacteria. As family members, we culture each other with our oral flora. This can also occur between children by sharing foods, utensils or toys.

A healthy microbiome is predominantly composed of friendly oral bacterial strains that live in harmony with our bodies rather than cause acid build up and tooth decay. When we promote our own healthy microbiome, we not only live a healthier life, but we also promote health for our young family members.

Good strategies to create a balanced microbiome include excellent oral hygiene, routine dental checkups and cleanings, healthy eating/snacking habits, limiting surgery foods and beverages, and eating whole food rich in nitrogen such as leafy greens.

Understanding the habits that cultivate excellent oral health are important to promote dental well-being for ourselves and our children. Caring for our little ones’ mouths and nurturing health-conscious oral practices and routines are instrumental in preventing early childhood caries.

Structured feeding schedules are important for infants. As teeth begin emerging and infants start solid foods, it is time to set up a consistent oral hygiene regimen. Allowing a baby to sleep with a bottle is a well-known cause of baby bottle tooth decay, but less known is that on-demand nighttime breastfeeding can also compromise newly erupted teeth. Helping your baby separate sleeping and eating is a milestone that allows ease and comfort for the whole family. Cleaning baby’s mouth after a meal helps to create a prompt for this process in addition to promoting dental health.

Lip and tongue frenula present in a wide variety of anatomical variations and clinical presentations. Not every shorter lip or tongue frenulum needs to be released. The benefits will depend on the size, shape, structure and position of the frenulum and how it is expected to adjust over time.

If feeding comfort is compromised, a team approach with a Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a feeding specialist will be needed. For babies that will benefit from a frenulum release or a frenulecomty, the procedure is completed with our state-of-the-art Solea Co2 laser, in less than a minute, after applying a topical anesthetic gel. Daily stretches and gentle tissue care will be needed for 2-3 weeks after the procedure to ensure successful results.

A good practice is to clean your infant’s mouth with a wet terrycloth washcloth. This usually creates a pleasing sensation for babies. They enjoy sucking on the cloth and experiencing its nubby texture. It is also an effective way to clean the oral tissues. Alternatively, baby oral wipes can also be used. These come in a wide variety and usually contain flavorings and Xylitol, which acts as a tooth-safe sweetener.

Some teething rings have silicone bristles that babies enjoy. These can be used early on but once teeth begin to come in, we recommend a baby/toddler toothbrush with bristles to effectively remove plaque.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that pacifier use be limited starting six months of age. As teeth come in, the pacifier can cause occlusion and tooth coupling changes. Some babies become very attached to their pacifiers, so a gradual weening process is helpful. The goal is to let go of the pacifier before or by baby’s first birthday.

Here is a plan to reduce pacifier use:

1. Limit the total number of pacifiers in the home to two
2. Poke a hole in the tip of the nipple of both pacifiers using manicure scissors to help deflate the nipple
3. Over the course of the next few days/weeks, progressively snip the tip of the pacifier nipple (do this to both pacifiers at the same time for consistency).
4. With time, your baby will lose interest in the snipped nipple and the process allows for a gradual emotional release from the pacifier.

Teething is a natural physiological process that is a new experience for babies. Signs that your baby is getting ready to teeth include drooling or gum rubbing and tender oral tissues. The desire to chew on a teething ring is very natural and can help the tooth to surface through the gums. Babies do not typically get sick because of teething, but they can be susceptible to picking up germs and viruses as they put their hands and other objects into the mouths.

We recommend a clean, chilled teething ring to help soothe your baby and numb sore gums. Homeopathic teething remedies or occasional Tylenol (please follow package instructions) can be added in the case of severe discomfort.

As more teeth begin to come into your toddler’s mouth, you can continue using an appropriate bristle brush (manual or electric), adding floss to the regimen to keep closed contacts clean and consider introducing fluoridated toothpaste at nighttime. The amount of toothpaste recommended for toddlers by the AAPD is an amount equal to the size of a grain of rice up to a small green pea.

Place your toddler in a position that makes brushing easy. We like leaning toddlers back on the changing table or laying them on a bed. This way, you will be able to see well and complete good brushing. For squirmy toddlers, two adults are needed. One to brush and one to help hold your toddler’s hands. Do this gently while signing songs, clapping hands and being fun and positive. Anything that relaxes your toddler and helps keep them content is a good strategy.

Consider exploring fun toothpaste flavors to get your toddler excited about brushing. Most importantly, even if your toddler fusses, know that you are helping them by cleaning their teeth. It is an important part of keeping them healthy and loved. With some time and gentle persistence, they will soon enjoy the process!

Sucking is a natural instinct that humans are born with. It is very soothing for infants to suck on their fingers, thumbs and pacifiers in the early months of life. Many toddlers continue to suck their fingers as they enter preschool and beyond. We find that a palliative approach of gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement works best to help your child gradually lose interest in their sucking habit.

Nap time and nighttime are preferred times for finger and thumb sucking. There are plenty of devices that act as barriers to thumb sucking on the market today. You can try one of these if your child is up to it. During the day, keeping your toddler’s hands busy with activities is helpful. For kids who find it challenging to let go of their sucking habit and are starting to get their permanent teeth, orthodontic appliances can act as obstacles to sucking and can also improve the position of teeth that have shifted due to the sucking habit.

Babies begin teething around the age of 6 months. The first teeth to come in are typically the lower incisors followed by the upper incisors. Teething patterns differ from one population to another but in general, the baby molars and canines will progressively follow the incisors resulting in a set of ten upper and ten lower primary teeth by the time your child is about three years of age.

Exploration is part of toddlerhood! New walking skills and a natural sense of curiosity makes keeping a close eye on toddlers a challenge. Creating a suitable playing environment is a great strategy to encourage safe independence. Soft pillows, cushions and padded flooring are great ideas. When it comes to the outdoors, grass is preferred to concrete. Adult supervision is needed on park equipment, steps and stoops where is is easy for toddlers to trip and fall.

Stay as calm as possible. It is very common for toddlers to fall and bump their mouths. Check to see if your toddler’s head was bumped and go to the nearest emergency room if it was. If the trauma is limited to the mouth and teeth, use a wet washcloth to clean the mouth gently and slow down any bleeding. Lift your toddler’s lips to see if any teeth have been lost or displaced and contact our office to help you with the next steps. Thankfully, most cases of primary tooth trauma heal with some time and don’t typically impact the permanent dentition.