Childcare

Protecting your baby’s teeth starts before they’re even born. Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D while pregnant will help put your newborn on the right path to a healthy smile.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, brushing needs to begin. It’s often easiest to brush your baby’s teeth while they’re lying down and it’s especially important to brush before bed. Remember, all their little teeth need is a small dab of toothpaste.

Once your baby is in bed, don’t let them sleep with a bottle of anything but water. Milk, juice, formula and most other beverages contain sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. Also, the sooner your baby is ready to switch from a bottle to a cup the better for their teeth.

Ensure you check your baby’s teeth regularly for white or brown spots and contact your dentist if you notice anything unusual. Your baby’s first visit to a dentist should occur as soon as their first tooth comes in.

Healthy baby teeth are very important. They help children eat well, speak clearly and prevent adult teeth from growing in crooked.

By following these simple tips, you and your child will be smiling long into the future. For more information on keeping your baby smiling visit one of the websites listed below.

Click here to see the stages of childhood dental development.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

British Columbia Dental Association
www.kidsmiles.ca
www.bcdental.org

Canadian Dental Association
www.cda-adc.ca

DENTAL GAMES FOR CHILDREN

American Dental Association animations and games
www.ada.org/public/games/index.asp

Colgate Kids World
http://www.colgate.com/app/Kids-World/US/HomePage.cvsp