THE OHIO DENTAL HYGIENISTS’
ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:

A PARENTAL EDUCATION RESOURCE FOR INFANT AND TODDLER
ORAL HYGIENE CARE
YOU AND YOUR CHILD’S MOUTH
YOU THE PARENT ARE IN CHARGE
ESTABLISH GOOD ROUTINES
EARLY
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Early childhood cavities are the
most common chronic
childhood disease
Dental health care begins even
before the first tooth
INFANT CARE
Start brushing the
infant’s teeth as
soon as they
come in with a
soft toothbrush
BABY PRODUCTS

When the first tooth arrives start using infant
tooth pastes twice daily
INTRODUCE FLUORIDATED TOOTHPASTE
Use a smear at less
than 2 years
Use a pea size amount
for ages 2-5 years
Always use an age appropriate soft bristle toothbrush
Brush at least 2 times a day: MORNING AND NIGHT
HELP IS NEEDED STARTING WITH
THE FIRST TOOTH
Find fun alternative
ways to help brush
your child’s teeth
MAKE BRUSHING FUN
Lay them on the couch
Lean their head back in a high
chair
Sing silly songs
At first they may cry but brushing will soon become a fun time
The parents should brush the child’s teeth once a
day until the child is about 9 years old or until
they are able to brush independently.
Supervise and monitor as needed
BRUSHING
1)Brush the outside surfaces along the gum line
2)Brush both the upper and lower arches
3) Brush all the inside surfaces
4)And include brushing all the chewing surfaces
5) Brush your tongue
REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
Replace your toothbrush every 3
months
Or after every illness
FLOSSING
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Should be started
when the teeth have
tight contacts
As a parent you should
floss between your
child’s teeth once a
day
This will prevent
cavities from starting
between the teeth
DO NOT PASS GERMS
Avoid saliva sharing behavior
between mother and child
such as:
a baby drops their pacifier, the
mother wipes it clean with her
mouth and gives it back to her
baby
In order to prevent the transfer of cavity
producing germs also
 Do not share eating utensils
 Or cups with your baby

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAVITIES
 Never
put your
child to bed with
a bottle having
any other liquid
than WATER
EARLY CHILDHOOD CAVITIES
Your child’s chance of
cavities increases when a
child falls asleep with a
bottle of:

milk
formula
juice
any sweet liquid
or if your child falls asleep
breastfeeding
EARLY CHILDHOOD CAVITIES
At first you may notice
small dark or white
spots on the front
teeth
But early tooth decay
can and will affect the
back teeth too.

When children “sip”
on sugared drinks for
extended periods,
They are at a higher
risk of decay
Sugar Consumption
WHERE IS ALL THE SUGAR??
SIZE CUP
TSP
SUGAR
Grape
Juice
8oz
8 tsp
Apple
Juice
8oz
6 tsp
Orange
Juice
8oz
6 tsp
Juicy
Juice
8oz
5tsp
LIMIT MILK TO MEAL TIMES

Although milk has calcium and vitamins, it
too can have sugar

Drink milk only with meals : ”No Sipping”
• 8 oz glass white milk
has 2 1/2 tsp sugar
• 8 oz chocolate milk
has 11 tsp sugar
Sodas contain high amounts of sugar
SODA
ACID PH#
SUGAR
Mountain dew
3.22
11 tsp/12 ozs
Pepsi
2.49
9.8 tsp/12 ozs
coke
2.53
9.3 tsp/ 12 ozs
Orange slice
3.12
11.9 tsp/12 ozs
Sprite
3.42
9.0 tsp/12 ozs
Minute maid
grape soda
Gatorade
3.29
11.9 tsp/12 ozs
2.95
3.3 tsp/12 ozs
Diet coke
3.39
0.0 tsp
ACID IN SODA
The lower the PH#
the stronger the acid
 Regular soda
contains both sugar
and acid

•Acid can wear away the
enamel parts of your teeth
•Heavy soda consumption
is also linked to obesity,
diabetes , and
osteoporosis
LIMIT SWEET SNACKS
Encourage your child to develop good eating
habits and choose nutritious snacks
Baby teeth

The first tooth arrives
around six months of age

Around the age of 2 years
old, The child has all 20
baby teeth

The last baby tooth
usually is not lost until
the age of 10 to 12 years
Why are baby teeth important ?
Holds space for the permanent
teeth
Helps form the shape of the
child’s face
Helps the child to talk clearly
Makes eating and chewing easier
IF LEFT UNTREATED THEY CAN
CAUSE:
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pain
loss of space for the permanent
teeth
damage the permanent tooth
infection that can affect the child’s
total health
poor nutrition
missed school
costly dental appointments
FIRST DENTAL VISIT

The first dental visit
can be a pleasant
experience

The dental hygienist
will probably use a
knee to knee
approach
As the child gets older
He/she will be introduced to the:
Dental Chair
The Mirror
Mr. Tooth Counter
The “Spin Brush”
The suction “straw”
RECALL APPOINTMENTS
The child should
go to the dentist
every six months
for regular
cleanings and
checkups or as
instructed by your
dentist
AS A PARENT YOU CAN BE A
RESOURCE FOR A PLEASANT FIRST
DENTAL EXPERIENCE

Avoid negative words about the dental experience

Always approach the dental office as a fun place to go

Read up on books about “Going to the Dentist”

Letting your child observe an older sibling who is a good role
model
FLUORIDE IS PROVEN TO REDUCE
TOOTH DECAY
Exposure to fluoride can be
through
 Toothpaste
 Varnish
 Topical application at the
dental office
WHAT IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF
FLUORIDE??
92% of Ohio’s public water supply is fluoridated
Tap water is the main source of fluoride
Put only water in their “Sippy” cups
between meal times
Encourage your child to drink from a cup by their
first birthday
So drink WATER! WATER ! WATER!
ACCIDENTAL LOSS 0F A BABY
TOOTH
CALL YOUR DENTIST
• No need to put the tooth back
in
• The dentist may take an x-ray
to check the surrounding teeth
and bone
ACCIDENTAL LOSS OF A
PERMANENT TOOTH
• CALL THE DENTIST
• Put the tooth back into the mouth in
it’s place and go to the dentist or
• Place the tooth in a cup of milk until
you reach the dentist
CONCLUSIONS
Visit a dentist shortly after the baby’s first
tooth appears or by their first birthday
 Brush 2 times a day with a fluoride
toothpaste, morning and night
 Help your child brush until they are
approximately nine years of age or able to
do a good job

Don’t put your child to bed with a bottle
 Drink lots of tap water
 Drink milk and juice with meals only
 Limit the sweet drinks
 Eat healthy snacks

We can all have a
great smile !
THANK YOU

AMERICAN DENTAL
HYGIENISTS’
ASSOCIATION
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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
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NATIONWIDE
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
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JOYCE BEATHARD-LIND RDH BA
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