Parents/caregivers should avoid sharing with their child things that have been in their mouths.

Schedule child's first dental appointment by age one.

Prevention is less costly than treatment.

Use of fluorides, including tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, is the most effective way to prevent tooth decay.

Oral Health and Hygiene

Encourage parents/caregivers to maintain good oral health and get treatment, if necessary, to reduce spread of bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

Encourage parents/caregivers to avoid sharing with their child things that have been in their mouths.

Encourage parent.caregivers to become familiar with the normal appearance of child's gums.

Emphasize using a washcloth or toothbrush to clean teeth and gums with eruption of the first tooth.

Encourage parents/caregivers to check front and back teeth for white, brown, or black spots (signs of cavities).

Oral Development

Describe primary tooth eruption patterns.

Emphasize importance of baby teeth for chewing, speaking, jaw development and self-esteem.

Discuss teething and ways to soothe sore gums, such as chewing on teething rings and washcloths.

Fluoride Adequacy

Evaluate fluoride status in residential water supply.

Review topical and systemic sources of fluoride.

Consider topical needs (eg., toothpaste, fluoride varnish).

Oral Habits

Encourage breastfeeding.

Advise mother that removing child from breast after feeding and wiping baby's gums/teeth with damp washcloth reduces the risk of ECC.

Review pacifier safety.

Diet and Nutrition

Remind parents/caregivers never to put baby to bed with a bottle with anything other than water in it or to allow feeding 'at will'.

Emphasize that it is the frequency of exposures, not the amount of sugar that affects susceptibility to caries.

Encourage weaning from bottle to cup by 1 year of age.

Encourage diluting juices with water.

Injury Prevention

Encourage child-proofing of home including electrical cord safety and poison control.

Emphasize use of properly secured car seat.

Encourage caregivers to keep emergency numbers handy.