also help make sure the adult teeth come in correctly. Help your child start off with good oral care to protect their teeth. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Bring your child to a dentist after they get their first tooth or by the age of one. This will help prevent many problems before they start.
- Ask your dentist what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the dentist says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Talk to your childs dentist about your child's diet. Ask if there are any changes you need to make.
What follow-up care is needed?
- If your child has decay or problems, ask your dentist about the plan to fix your childs teeth. This may involve another visit to fix the decay. Be sure to keep these visits so the problems do not get any worse.
- Your child's dentist may ask you to bring your child to the office 1 or 2 times each year to get your child's teeth checked and cleaned. Be sure to keep these visits.
What drugs may be needed?
- The dentist may order drugs to:
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
What problems could happen?
If the tooth decay is not fixed, your child could have: ‚
- Pain
- Infection
- Tooth loss
- Crowded permanent teeth
- Speech problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Take good care of your oral health. Your child will model your behavior.
- Do not let your child sleep while feeding on a bottle or a sippy cup. This may cause tooth decay.
- Wean your child from falling asleep with a bottle. Start to water down this bottle of formula or juice. Over the course of a week, keep adding more water until your child is only drinking water at night.
- Try using a pacifier, lovey, or small stuffed animal to comfort your child instead of a bottle or cup at night.
- Use your babys bottle for breast milk, infant formula, or water only.
- Do not give your baby soda, kool-aid, or any drinks with added sugar.
- Do not give your baby more than 2 to 4 ounces of juice each day.
- Wipe your baby's gums with a clean wet washcloth after feedings.
- When your baby has teeth, begin brushing using a soft toothbrush and water.
- After 12 months of age, brush your child's teeth at morning and night with a thin smear of toothpaste.
- Floss your child's teeth at least 1 time each day.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my babys teeth and why they are important.
- I can tell you when my child should first see a dentist.
- I can tell you what I can do to help prevent my child from tooth decay.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatric Dentists ‚
http://www.aapd.org/assets/2/7/Education_-_Caries.pdf ‚
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/pages/Preventing-Tooth-Decay-in-Children.aspx ‚
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-bottle-tooth-decay ‚
Indiana State Department of Health ‚
http://www.in.gov/isdh/18717.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚