Baby Biters Need Brushing

By Jill Feilmeier on February 12, 2013 in Kid's Health

There is nothing more satisfying than looking down at the gap-toothed grin on your mini-me. Seeing those adorable baby teeth sparkle is one of life's greatest joys. But it could also be a struggle to keep those little biters glistening.

When toothbrush time comes, the gap-tooth grin can easily change to loud cries and cause a before bedtime fight. After a long hard day, some parents decide the fight is just not worth it. They will eventually fall out anyway, right? Wrong!

Amazingly, the state of your little one’s baby teeth really does matter. Cavities are caused by bacteria. Those bacteria set up shop in your baby’s mouth if you don’t regularly brush their teeth and keep them away from sugary foods and drinks. Once those bacteria have colonized, it’s really hard to make them go away. The bacteria remain, even though the baby’s teeth fall out. When those beautiful new permanent teeth start popping through, the bacteria are there to attack the enamel and cause cavities.

So, take care of that precious little grin, even though those baby teeth aren’t there to stay. Brush them morning and night with a smear of children's toothpaste. And even before they have teeth, rub their gums with a wash cloth. Don’t put sweet drinks in the bottle or sippy cup. Make sure the only thing that goes in the bottle after brushing at night is water.

Baby teeth do matter. How well you take care of them can make a difference for the rest of your child’s life.

Discover the small changes in dental habits that can have big effects on a child’s oral health. For more information, click here.