Parents of new children have a lot on their mind – babies don’t come with instruction manuals, after all. Tooth decay probably isn’t a primary concern. If a baby doesn’t have any teeth, there’s no reason to worry, right?
Wrong. The plaque that harms new teeth – which generally show up around 6 months of age – starts growing with a child’s first feeding. Sticky bacteria film can build into an “unwelcoming” party for an infant’s first teeth.
Most parents are extremely conscious of their young children’s health. The first steps in oral health care should occur in a baby’s first few days of life. Feeding, for example, can leave residual food that gets plaque started. Wiping a baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad afterward removes any leftovers.
Believe it or not, tooth decay in very young children is often passed from a mother or caregiver. For a variety of reasons, adults sometimes put a pacifier or feeding spoon in their mouth. Their saliva, containing cavity-causing bacteria, is left on the implement. This destructive bacteria gets a direct transfer when placed in the child’s mouth.
Diminishing this risk is a matter of common sense. Parents can avoid licking pacifiers or holding the child’s spoon in their mouth. Improving oral hygiene in the adult will benefit both them and their child. 
Liquids containing sugar are another mortal enemy of young teeth. Sweetened water and fruit juice are common culprits. Milk, breast milk and formula can be troublesome. Practices such as putting a baby to bed with a bottle, or using a bottle as a pacifier, can allow lengthy exposure of sugary liquids to a child’s teeth.
Pacifiers should never be dipped in sugar or honey to entice a child. If your child resists taking a pacifier, Dr. Hoffmann can offer possible solutions to keep everyone happy.
Primary (or “baby”) teeth are temporary, when compared with the entire length of one’s life. Lasting usually no longer than 12 years, they still play an important role in the foundation of oral health. Taking care of these teeth is hopefully as much a priority for parents as anything else the doctor might order.
