Healthy teeth in childhood are the cornerstone for healthy teeth in adulthood. Read on to learn how to care of your child’s teeth and the best snacks to help develop healthy teeth.  

Baby Oral Hygiene  

• Keep gums clean; form the habit of having something inside the child’s mouth for cleaning. Gently wipe areas where milk had contact using a soft wet hand towel.  
• Once teeth erupt, use a tiny soft-bristled toothbrush with a small amount of children’s fluoride toothpaste and water.  
• Fluoride toothpaste should not be used in children younger than two years of age until the child learns to ‘spit.’  “There is a risk of fluorosis, which makes spots on permanent teeth. Fluorosis, caused by ingestion of excess fluoride, is characterized by failure of tooth enamel to crystallize properly in permanent teeth.  

Baby Bottle Caries 

Common in babies drinking milk/juice from a bottle, this is large exposure of sugar-containing drinks, mostly on the front teeth. The frequent intake, especially at night when saliva production is lower, causes caries. The solution (to bottle caries) is to get children used to drinking water. A baby bottle with water will quench thirst, not harm teeth, and soothe the baby.  

Snacks for Healthy Teeth  

• Apples, cucumbers, walnuts, and cheese make healthy finger foods.  Apples contain vitamin C (help maintain healthy teeth/protects gums) and possess mouth cleansing properties.  
• Cucumbers contain vitamin K (essential for bone formation.)  
• Cheese contains calcium for production/development of strong teeth and bones.  
• Melons such as watermelon/ cantaloupe are a source of vitamin A, ideal for bone growth and tooth development. 
• Tuna sandwiches on whole-wheat bread as whole-wheat bread contains thiamine, which helps convert food to energy, riboflavin–important for body growth, and niacin, which assists with the functioning of the digestive system.