Babies come into this world without the bacteria that causes dental caries – the condition that causes cavities. They acquire this bacteria from saliva that is transmitted from their caregiver’s mouth to their own. It’s these germs that start the process of building cavities even before babies have teeth, so it is crucial to avoid sharing saliva with your baby right from the start – even though they’re too irresistible not to kiss on the lips. In Hawaii, parents ensure the proper dental health of their kids through the expertise of Pediatric Dental Group. They specialize in dentistry for children, so they know what it takes to treat kids without scaring them away.

Protect your baby’s teeth from cavities by following these tips:

• Always Clean Their Teeth: Regardless of the feeding method you choose, make sure that their gums are clean at all times. Gently wipe the gums with a teeth cleaning baby washcloth and as soon as you see the first teeth, brush them gently using a soft baby toothbrush with a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. Once the baby turns 12 months, you can start brushing their teeth twice a day.

• Don’t Put Them To Sleep With Food: Any dentistry professional will tell you that using a bottle of milk to put a baby to sleep actually contributes to the development of cavities. It not only exposes your baby’s delicate teeth to sugars, but it can also put them at risk of choking and ear infection.

• Avoid Using Bottle As Pacifier: Like the previous point, this habit of letting young children drink from a bottle or sippy cup for long periods of time should not be adopted. These unhealthy sucking habits can cause the child’s upper and lower jaws to be misaligned and the roof of their mouth to be narrower side-to-side.

Dental care starts as soon as a baby is born, so parents must give as much attention to their tiny gums as the rest of their body. To know the best way to care for your child’s teeth, consult the pediatric dentistry experts at Pediatric Dental Group. Schedule an appointment today by calling their Honolulu office at (808) 593-8828 or their Lihue branch at (808) 245-2131. You can also visit their website to learn more about their baby dentist services.