Tips To Keep You and Your Baby’s Teeth and Gums

Healthy

Healthy

After Your Baby Is Born

♦ Maintain good oral health by brushing twiceadayandflossingonceaday.Use toothpastewithfluoride.

♦ Eat healthy foods and eat foods containingsugaratmealtimesonly.

♦ Germs that cause tooth decay can pass from your mouth to your baby’s mouth throughsaliva.Usedifferentspoonsto tasteyourbaby’sfood.Cleanyourbaby’s pacifierwithwater.Donotuseyourmouth tocleanit.

Caring for Your Baby’s Teeth and Gums

♦ Cleanyourbaby’sgumswithaclean,soft clothorgauzeaftereveryfeeding,even beforethefirstteethcomein.

♦ Cleanyourbaby’sgumsandteethtwicea dayassoonasyouseethefirsttooth (usuallyaround6to10months).Usea clean,softcloth,gauzeorasmalltooth- brushwithsoftbristlesdesignedforbabies.

♦ Donotputyourbabytobedwithabottle. Liquidssuchasmilk,formulaorfruitjuice can cause early childhood tooth decay when allowed to cling to a baby’s teeth for longperiods.Considerofferingyourbaby apacifieratbedtimeinstead.

♦ Make an appointment for your baby to see adentistbythetimeheorsheis1yearold.

For more information, contact:Oral Health Program

Division of Family HealthNorth Dakota Department of Health600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 301

Bismarck, N.D. 58505-0200701.328.2356 or 800.472.2286

www.ndhealth.gov/oralhealth

Smiles

This brochure was adapted, with permission, from Holt K, Clark M. 2008. Two Healthy Smiles: Tips to Keep You and Your Baby Healthy. Washington, D.C.: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center.

Brush and Floss

♦Topreventorcontroltoothdecay,brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and toothpastewithfluoridetwiceaday,and flossonceaday.

♦ If you can’t brush your teeth because you feelsick,rinseyourmouthwithwaterora mouthrinsethathasfluoride.

♦ Ifyouvomit,rinseyourmouthwitha teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water to prevent the acid from damaging your teeth.

Eat Healthy Foods

♦Eatavarietyoffruits,vegetables,whole- grainproductslikebreadorcrackers,dairy productslikemilk,yogurtorcheese,lean meats,fish,poultry,eggs,beansandnuts. ♦ Choosefruitratherthanfruitjuicetomeet thedailyrecommendedintakeoffruit.

♦Drinkwaterorlow-fatmilkinsteadoffruit juice,sportdrinksorsoda.

♦ Cutdownonsweetslikecandy,cookies, cakeandsugarydrinks.Ifandwhenyou snack,choosenutritiousfoodsthatarelow insugar,havenosugaraddedorare unsweetened.

♦ Look for products (like chewing gum and mints)thataresugar-freeorcontainxylitol.

♦ Forfrequentnauseaandvomiting,eat small amounts of nutritious foods throughouttheday,ifpossible.

Get Dental Care

♦Getadentalcheckup.Itissafetohave dentalcarewhenyouarepregnant.Don’t putitoffuntilafteryouhavethebaby.

♦Tellthedentalofficestaffthatyouare pregnantandtellthemyourduedate. This will help the dental team plan your treatmentandkeepyoucomfortable.

♦Thedentalteammayrecommendfluoride rinsesorchewinggumwithxylitol.These can help reduce the bacteria that can cause toothdecayandgingivitis(sore,puffyand redgums).

While You Are Pregnant