Parenting Tips for Your 6 Month Old Baby
Baby teeth do five important things:
- Chew food
- Help child speak clearly
- Guide permanent teeth into place
- Add to general good health
- Make a nice smile
Tooth decay and gum disease are the two major dental diseases. They are caused by germs naturally found in the mouth. Sugars from breast milk, infant formulas, all sweetened drinks, and juices are the main sources for these germs. Half of American children have cavities by the time they are 2 years old.
Baby tooth decay develops when a baby’s teeth constantly have sugar-containing substances on them. This often happens if a baby sleeps with a bottle in his mouth or stays attached to the breast and goes to sleep. To prevent cavities, remove the breast or bottle from the baby’s mouth after feeding and clean your baby’s teeth at least once a day. Use a moist soft cloth to clean your baby’s teeth after each feeding.
