Parenting Tips for Your 19-20 Month Old Toddler
It is very important to take care of your baby’s teeth even though they are not her permanent teeth. Your child’s first teeth are important for:
- Helping your child chew and talk.
- Saving space for adult teeth to grow in straight.
- Helping your child feel good about her smile.
By following a few easy steps, you can avoid dental problems in your child’s life:
- Gently clean your baby’s teeth and gums daily with a damp cloth, gauze, or toothbrush.
- Feed only formula, milk or water from a bottle. Do not add sugar. Offer the bottle only at feeding time.
- If you use a pacifier to comfort your baby, never dip it in any sweet substance.
- If your drinking water has fluoride, (check with your county health department) give your child water to drink. If your child’s drinking water does not have fluoride, ask your doctor about fluoride supplements. Fluoride helps build strong teeth.
- Take your child for a dental checkup when she is between 2 and 3 years old.
Learn more about Your Toddler: 19-20 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
