Birth-24 Months
“It is reasonable to expect that a child can graduate from high school without any cavities. However, this result requires a strong partnership between parent, child and pediatric dentist.” -American Association of Pediatric Dentists
It starts with you.
FACT: Your oral health and the oral health of your infant’s primary caregivers can affect the oral health of your infant.
- Dental cavities are a bacterial disease
- Infants who acquire the cavity causing bacteria earlier in life have a higher chance of getting cavities throughout their life
- Avoiding saliva sharing activities like sharing cups, utensils or cleaning pacifiers with your own saliva will help delay the transmission of the cavity causing bacteria
- Maintenance of your own oral health is important for the oral health of your infant. Untreated dental cavities increase can the amount of cavity causing bacteria in your mouth and makes it more likely to pass the cavity causing bacteria to your infant
FACT: Preventive oral health care is easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
- Before the teeth erupt, clean your child’s mouth with a gauze pad or infant washcloth before bedtime
- Begin brushing any teeth with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush as soon as they appear once in the morning and before bedtime
- Some infants will enjoy tooth brushing and others won’t. It’s important to establish tooth brushing as a part of your daily routine despite your child’s behavior. Dr. Durschlag and his staff can provide some helpful tips to make tooth brushing easier
- You set the tone for the importance of oral health in your daily life. Modeling good habits for your children will instill in them the importance of oral health
FACT: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing your child’s dental home by the age of 1.
- The dental home will serve as your child’s place for well dental visits and any necessary emergency care (falls, injuries to the mouth)
- Schedule your first visit with Dr. Durschlag 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth or at age 1, whichever comes first
- Follow a schedule of periodic professional well dental visits, as advised by Dr. Durschlag. This schedule will be determined based on your child’s dental development and risk for developing cavities.
“The key to healthy teeth and gums for your child is to begin the oral care routine as soon as possible, schedule regular preventive dental check-ups, and follow the advice given by the pediatric dentist.”
Select the plan that is right for your child from the options below.