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Dental care is important from a very young age. Even though baby teeth fall out, it is vital to a child’s future oral health that they stay healthy. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a term for tooth decay in infants and toddlers. It’s important to avoid because tooth decay at a young age can cause problems with eating and speaking. Additionally, baby teeth set up the mouth for adult teeth later in life. Honolulu’s best kids dentist, Pedodontic Associates Inc., wants to give you the tips you need to avoid early childhood caries in your little one.

Here’s what you can do to prevent tooth decay in a baby:

  • Put Down The Bottle: Stop using the bottle by the age of one. Giving your child a bottle in place of a pacifier or putting them to bed with a bottle can overexpose them to sugar. Stick with a pacifier when your baby is fussy.
  • Don’t Share Saliva: It’s a common mistake to lick your child’s spoon or “clean” their pacifier in your mouth. Bacteria from your saliva can cause tooth decay when it enters your child’s mouth.
  • See a Pediatric Dentist: It’s never too early to start visiting a children’s dentist. Dentists like those at Pedodontic Associates Inc. will give you the best tips for taking care of your child’s teeth while they are still young. Your child should have their first dental care visit by the age of one.

Following these tips will help prevent early childhood caries, but visiting a pediatric dentist is the best way to make sure your child’s mouth is as healthy as possible. To set up an appointment for your little one, call Pedodontic Associates Inc. at (808) 735-1733. 

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