Common Questions

Many experts recommend breast-feeding over bottle-feeding for the overall health of your child. However, breast-feeding can lead to early childhood cavities in the same way that bottle-feeding can. To prevent early childhood cavities:

• Avoid overnight feeding, such as bringing baby to bed with you and allowing him/her to nurse at will. Milk can "pool" in the child's mouth and cause acid to form continuously throughout the night. This acid leads to tooth decay.
• Avoid letting baby walk around with a bottle containing a sweet drink.
• It is recommended that you encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.

Thumb-sucking is normal for infants; most stop on their own by age two.

• If your child sucks his/her thumb beyond age two, try to discourage it by age four.
• Thumb-sucking beyond age four can lead to either crooked, crowded teeth, bite problems, or both.

Yes, but do not dip it in sugar, honey, or sweetened liquid. In addition:

• Try to have your child give up the pacifier by age two.
• Keep in mind that while a pacifier and thumb-sucking create no health difference for the child, a pacifier may be a better choice because it can be easier to wean your child from a pacifier than from thumb-sucking.

Use a small, soft-bristled brush. Use a circular or wiggling motion on all tooth surfaces, especially where the tooth meets the gumline. Once your toddler is able to spit out, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the brush. Families should ask their dentist to demonstrate proper tooth brushing during the child's dental visit.

At 18 months of age or when your child is able to spit. Fluoride is safe and necessary to keep teeth strong, but only at appropriate levels. Younger toddlers tend to swallow toothpaste. Consult your dentist for further advice. Remember, even if your water is fluoridated, you still need to use fluoride toothpaste.