February is Give Kids a Smile Month

Jessica A. Rickert, DDS, Anishinaabe Dental Outreach

When you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, and those big eyes lock into yours, you fall hopelessly in love with life

Did you know that baby’s first tooth bud starts to form 4 months in utero? During pregnancy, what mom eats, and drinks mightily impacts the formation of baby’s teeth and jaws.

Why are “baby” teeth important? Your baby’s nutritional needs increase as your child grows and this nutrition will come from the ability to eat many more foods as the teeth erupt The presence of healthy teeth contributes greatly to developing speech A baby’s smile is so precious, cuter with that first tooth. Your child can develop the huge variety of human expressions with a healthy mouth and teeth. Each tooth is indeed precious and needs to be cherished.

Even babies with the most vigilant parents will experience injuries as they begin crawling, walking, climbing, jumping, swinging, rolling...are we talking about a human or a monkey, here? Injuries to the little monkey’s teeth and mouth are common. I recommend a fluffy bath towel be laid over the tub’s edge during bath time, along with a soft bathmat on the floor Don’t let children sit on tables or counters Always secure children in a car seat Try to keep children away from stairs.

Before age one year old, a visit to a dentist is advised.

Fluoride is recommended daily. Most metropolitan areas have fluoride added to the drinking water; call you county health department to find out The pediatrician or dentist can recommend fluoride supplements.

Avoid sugary drinks and foods Table sugar (sucrose on food labels) is the favorite food for the evil Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for decay. Sticky foods adhere to the crevices of the teeth, increasing decay. Wholesome foods, including fruits and vegetables and meats and crackers and dairy products, contribute to healthy teeth. Children only need water and milk to drink

As soon as the first tooth appears, begin the healthy habit of daily brushing. Of course, your little monkeys-I mean children-will mimic everything you do, so be sure to let them see you brushing and flossing Mom or dad should brush baby’s teeth in little circles with a small, soft toothbrush. If toothpaste is distasteful, use water. There are several toothpastes formulated for babies, and they have a bland taste and are not as gritty. Use no more than the size of a pea

Here's are brushing songs: “This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, this is the way we brush our teeth so early in the morning.” And... “This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth, just before bedtime.”

Or “The bristles on the brush go ‘round & ‘round, ‘round & ‘round, ‘round & ‘round, the bristles of the brush go ‘round & ‘round all through your mouth.”

Even though you are busy, take time to have some silly fun with you children while establishing excellent dental habits.

Here are free activity pages for children: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources/activitysheets/back-to-school https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources/activitysheets/puzzles https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources/activitysheets/color-and-count https://www mouthhealthy org/resources/activitysheets/sugar-wars https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources/activitysheets/national-nutrition-month