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National Institute of Dental Research
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Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Child Health Guide- Dental/Oral Health
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Fluoride
(said like floor-eyed) protects teeth from tooth decay and helps heal early decay.
Fluoride is in the drinking water of some towns and cities.
Ask your dentist or doctor if your water has fluoride in it. If it doesn't, talk to your dentist or doctor about giving you a prescription for fluoride drops for your baby.
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Check your baby's teeth
Healthy teeth should be all one color. If you see spots or stains on the teeth, take your baby to your dentist.
Clean your baby's teeth
as soon as they come in with a clean, soft cloth or a baby's toothbrush. Clean the teeth at least once a day. It's best to clean them right before bedtime. |
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| At about age 2, most of your child's teeth will be in. Now you can start brushing them with a small drop of fluoride toothpaste. Use a drop of toothpaste about as big as this --
As your child gets older let him use his own toothbrush -- but you put the toothpaste on the toothbrush until about age 6.
Very young children cannot get their teeth clean by themselves. Until your children are about 7 years old,
you should brush their teeth after they do.
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| Choose foods that do not have a lot of sugar in them.
Give your child fruits and vegetables instead of candy and
cookies. |
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