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Overall Dental Health Good dental health is an important aspect of your child's overall health. Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant's first tooth appears. Wipe the teeth with a piece of gauze or a damp cloth. Switch to a toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste as the child gets older. Fluoride in toothpaste absorbs into the tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. Because children tend to swallow toothpaste, put only a small (pea-sized) amount of fluoride toothpaste on your child's toothbrush. Ingesting too much fluoride while brushing can result in bright white tooth staining (mottling). Also check the teeth for early signs of decay. These appear as white, yellow or brown spots on the teeth. Some children may develop decay in spite of the best preventive efforts. This may be because it runs in their family. Genetic influence also plays a role in a person's overall dental health. Does thumb sucking hurt teeth? Thumb sucking is normal in infants and young children and should cause no permanent problems if not continued past the age of five. Likewise, it is harmless for infants to use pacifiers. Children who suck their thumbs past the age of five may need a referral to a pediatric dentist to determine if problems are developing. Are there eating habits that are bad for a child's teeth? Sweets like candy or cookies can lead to tooth decay. Starchy foods, such as crackers, and sticky foods, such as raisins, tend to stay on the teeth long. These foods also are more likely to lead to tooth decay. Sugar from fruits and fruit juices left on the teeth for long periods of time is also not healthy for teeth. Starches and fruits, however, are a necessary part of any child's diet. To avoid tooth decay, give children these foods only at mealtime (before the teeth have been brushed), not at bedtime. For healthy teeth, offer children a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods. When should children be seen by a dentist? Before the age of 3, your child's basic dental care can be handled by your pediatrician. During regular well-child visits, your pediatrician will check your child's teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy. However, if dental problems do arise, your pediatrician may refer your child to a dental professional. A pediatric dentist (pedodontist) specializes in the care of children's teeth, but some general dentists are interested in treating children's dental needs and will also see children. Situations in which a pediatrician may wish to refer a child to a dental professional before age 3 include:
Most mouth pain in children is not dental in origin. It could be a sign of infection. A pediatrician can rule out medical conditions that are not related to a child's dental health. (©)2000 American Academy of Pediatrics  
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