Tooth Wisdom

It's never too early to start taking care of your baby's pearly whites.

Pacifiers  Pacifiers can inhibit normal saliva and, because they force the lips against the teeth, cause the mouth to retain sugar.

Exams  A dental visit at age 1 will  identify any problems your child might have. Unless your dentist is experienced in treating small children, find a pediatric dentist. Prepare your child for a positive experience by playing dentist at home. And during your visit, ask for a demonstration of proper at-home tooth cleaning and an assessment of your child’s fluoride needs.
 

As it turned out, my son needed a mouthful of fillings. Fortunately, I’d found a great pediatric dentist, and Isaac sailed through with flying colors (though his father and I were wrecks). Even if efforts at prevention fail, take heart: Infant tooth decay, properly treated, does not necessarily lead to problems with permanent teeth.