Oral Health

A recent American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report showed that tooth decay (also called early childhood caries, or ECC) is the most common chronic children’s disease in the United States.

Here at the PCC, we believe that good oral health care is vital and emphasize it, to all our patients.

Although many relegate dental care to dentists, since the earliest introduction to health care is typically the pediatrician, we encourage parents and work with them to ensure optimal dental care.

Steps to establish good dental health¹:

• • Fluoride and Your Child: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in many foods, and it also is added to the drinking water in some cities and towns. It can benefit dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks that can cause tooth decay.
  • Check and Clean Your Baby’s Teeth: Healthy teeth should be all one color. If you see spots or stains on the teeth, contact your doctor. Clean the teeth at least twice a day. It’s best to clean them right after breakfast and before bedtime.
  • Feed Your Baby Healthy Food: Choose drinks and foods that do not have a lot of sugar in them. Give your child fruits and vegetables instead of candy and cookies. Be careful with foods that easily stick to the grooves of the teeth and can cause cavities if not thoroughly brushed off the teeth.
  • Prevent Tooth Decay: Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle at night or at naptime. Sucking on a bottle filled with liquids that have sugar in them can cause tooth decay. If your baby uses a pacifier, do not dip it in anything sweet like sugar or honey.
  • Talk With Your Pediatrician About Making a Dental Home: Since your pediatrician will be seeing your baby from the first days and weeks of life, plan to discuss when and how you should later develop a “dental home”—a dentist who can give consistent, high-quality, professional care—just as you have a “medical home” with your pediatrician.