By DEBRA A. LARSON, PHN, CLC
MCH/MHB Program
Koochiching County Health Department

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and a time to remember that Early Childhood Dental Caries is the most common preventable chronic infectious disease of our nation’s children today.

Did you know that tooth decay in preschool children is on the increase? The CDC reports a 15.2 percent increase in our youngest children. One in four (28 percent) of preschool children have experienced tooth decay.

How do babies get cavities? Young children have very thin tooth enamel that is at risk for injury. Food is broken down starting in the mouth by bacteria. Food and liquids are eaten by bacteria in the mouth and produce acid. If food or liquid is left in the mouth for a long time more acid is made which begins to wear away the tooth enamel and decay happens. The tooth can not heal if food and acid aren’t wiped or rinsed away.

The challenge to the dental care system is significant as preschool children have the lowest rates of dental care of all age groups in the United States. Therefore, it is important for the parent to think about preventing tooth decay with the child’s birth. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are five things you can do to prevent early childhood tooth decay.

Never put a child to bed with a bottle. By 7 to 8 months of age, most children no longer needs feedings during the night. Children who drink bottles while laying down may be prone to getting ear infections and tooth decay from sugary substances like formula, milk and juice pooling in the oral cavity. Limit juice to fewer than 6 ounces per day during meals.

Only give your baby a bottle during meals. Do not use the bottle as a pacifier; do not allow your child to walk around or to drink it for extended periods. These practices not only lead to early tooth decay, but children can suffer tooth injury if the fall while sucking the bottle.

Teach your child to drink from a cup as soon as possible — usually by the age of 1 year. Drinking from a cup does not cause liquid to collect around the teeth, and a cup cannot be taken to bed. If you are concerned that a cup may be messier than a bottle, especially when you are away from home, use one that has a snap-on lid with a straw or special valve to prevent spilling. Sippy cups should be used only in special situations as they, like a bottle, can cause cavities with prolonged use.

Keep your baby’s mouth clean. This is an important part of preventing tooth decay. After feedings, gently brush your baby’s gums and baby teeth with a soft infant toothbrush.

Use water and a soft child-sized toothbrush for daily cleaning once your child has 7 to 8 teeth. By the time your toddler is 2 years of age, you should be brushing their teeth once to twice a day, preferably after breakfast and before bedtime. Once you are sure your child will spit and not swallow, you should begin using a fluoride toothpaste. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to limit the amount he can accidentally swallow.

Looking is the best way of knowing what is happening in your child’s mouth. Cavities will look like a white spot before they turn dark and most young children don’t complain of pain. Cavities often start along the gum line where plaque builds. Cavity prevention is important to understand because you are your child’s best chance in preventing cavities and giving your child a wonderful smile.