Maria is just two years old and already all her front teeth have cavities. Sam is ten years old and couldn’t focus on his schoolwork because he had a toothache. Antoine, who is fifteen, said his teeth didn’t hurt, but when he went to the dentist, he had nine cavities. There are many other children just like Maria, Sam and Antoine in California. Why are these children getting cavities and how can it be prevented?
Maria’s cavities were a result of drinking from a baby bottle too often, too long and being put to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or other sweet drink. When this is done the liquid pools around the front teeth and begins to decalcify the tooth until there is a cavity. This can happen in a short period of time because the enamel of a toddler’s tooth is thinner than that of an adult’s tooth. It is important that babies and toddlers be put to bed without a bottle.

Try rubbing their back, playing music or singing to them while they fall asleep. Do not use honey filled or honey dipped pacifiers for two reasons: honey contains sugar, and honey may contain botulism bacteria that can make children under age of one very ill and in some cases be fatal. By age one, children no longer need to drink from a bottle. As soon as they can sit up, have them start practicing drinking from a cup, starting with a sippy cup (buy one without a stopper or remove the stopper).

Parents need to start children off on the road to oral health by being role models and building good oral health habits at a very young age - during babyhood. Prevention starts with the mother maintaining good oral health throughout her pregnancy. Flossing thoroughly once a day and brushing at least twice a day will reduce the amount of tooth decay and gum disease-causing germs, which will reduce the likelihood of passing these germs on to your child.

Follow these guidelines and help your children have a lifetime of good oral health.

During Pregnancy, Mothers-to-Be Should

Visit your dentist —have a cleaning and complete all needed dental work.
Maintain good oral health habits throughout your pregnancy and thereafter.
Floss thoroughly once a day and brush at least twice a day – this will reduce the amount of germs in your mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease
Maintain a healthy diet and take prenatal vitamins. This will help your child to have healthy, strong teeth and bones.
Ask your dentist if there is anything else he recommends to help maintain good oral health, such as xylitol products and/or anti-microbial rinses.
Thereafter…

Visit A Dentist – Children should begin seeing the dentists at age one for a visual examination and advice. Adults and children should visit a dentist at least once a year.
Brush and floss – Before your child has teeth, begin to clean inside his/her mouth with a small washcloth. Your child will become accustomed to you helping keep his/her mouth clean. As soon as your child gets a tooth, start brushing your child’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush designed for infants and flossing as soon as teeth touch each other. Parents need to brush and floss their children’s teeth until they develop the dexterity to do it themselves, usually around age nine. Brush all teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and floss once a day. Germs also build up on the tongue, so be sure to brush it too.
Use fluoride – fluoride helps make teeth strong and more resistant to decay. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste once your child understands not to swallow it. Ask your doctor or dentist if you need a prescription for fluoride supplements.
Do not share eating and drinking items – children are not born with decay causing germs. They get them from others. Do not let anyone (parents, siblings, caregivers etc.) share eating utensils or drink from the same cup as your child, blow on your child’s food to cool it or any other activity that will spread the decay causing germs from their mouth to your child’s mouth.
Eat a Balanced Diet – Eat healthy foods and avoid sugary foods. Each time you take a bite of something or sip of something with sugar it creates an “acid attack” on your teeth. Learn how to read the “Nutrition Labels” on food products
4 grams of sugar equals 1 teaspoon of sugar. Nutrition labels list the contents of one serving, be aware of the number of servings an item contains. Limit sweets and sodas to special occasions. Avoid eating sugary snacks between meals.
About First 5 Sacramento
Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages zero to five. First 5 Sacramento distributes approximately $17 million a year in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs. For information on First 5 Sacramento programs call 916-876-5865.
Looking for information and resources to help with the first five years of your child’s life? Visit First 5 Sacramento’s Online Parents Resource Center at www.first5sacramento.net.