1. CONSEQUENCES
OF POOR ORAL
HEALTH FOR
EXPECTING
MOTHERS
Rates of congenital anomalies increase as
the degree of uncontrolled diabetes
increases.
Folic acid deficiency can cause neural tube
defects and oral congenital defects such as
cleft lip, cleft palate and cleft lip with cleft
palate
Gingivitis that leads to periodontal disease
may cause preterm birth and low birth
weight of babies
People with xerostomia (dry mouth) have
chances of dental caries, so it is suggested
more frequent fluoride exposure.
To decrease a risk of caries in mothers
brush teeth twice daily with fluoridated
toothpaste along with fluoride mouth
rinses, especially before bedtime and
flossing daily.
Reduce the bacterial reservoir in mothers
and caretakers by using therapeutic agents
such as chlorhexidene solutions and xylitol
and restoring untreated dental
caries. Children of mothers with high caries
levels are more likely to get caries.
Diet is a big factor in preventing
decay. Snacking often creates a constant
supply of sugar and acid in the mouth.
Bacteria feeds on sugar and produces acid
waste, which erodes the tooth to create a
cavity. One of the best ways to keep your
child’s teeth healthy is to limit his/her intake of
sugary foods and drinks. Crunchy fresh fruits
and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery
are good choices because they help scrub
plaque from teeth as you eat.
HEALTHY
SMILE FOR
YOUR BABY
GOOD SNACKS
water
cheese
nuts
sugarless
peanut butter
crackers
bread stick
fresh fruits
fresh veggies
pretzels
dark chocolate
(plain)
BAD SNACKS
sport drinks
flavored water
iced tea
soft drinks
puddings
canned fruit
cookies
dried fruit
granola bars
fruit snacks
marshmallows
sugar coated
cereal
gummy snacks
2. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
CARIES IN CHILDREN
Wipe baby’s gums or teeth along the gum line with
a soft cloth after breast or bottle feeding.
Gently brush new teeth using a soft toothbrush and
a smear (size of a rice grain) of fluoride toothpaste
after breakfast and before bed.
Brush your child's teeth twice a day for 2 minutes
with fluoride toothpaste after age 1.
Floss in between teeth when they are touching
each other.
Never put your child to bed with a bottle that has
anything but water, since acid formed by bacteria
damages the tooth enamel causing
demineralization, and eventually a cavity.
Fill a sippy cup with water only. Never dip a pacifier
in sugar, honey or other sweeteners.
Teach your child to drink from a regular cup by 12
to 15 months of age, it prevents liquid to collect
around the teeth, and it cannot be taken to
bed. each your child to drink from a regular cup by
12 to 15 months of age.
Avoiding salivasharing behaviors, such as kissing
the baby on the mouth, sharing a spoon, cleaning a
dropped pacifier by mouth or wiping the baby’s
mouth with a cloth moistened with saliva.
Look for tooth decay that appears as white spots at
the gum line on the upper front teeth.
Visit a pediatric dentist beginning when the child is
12 months of age, or 6 months after the first tooth
erupts.
DIET
Balanced diet includes fruits,
vegetables, grains, meat, beans, and
milk.
Avoid saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in
your kid’s foods and drinks.
Follow MyPyramid (USDA) recommendation
of 50% whole grains intake. It is very important to
eat fruits and vegetables every day, because some
vitamins cannot be stored in the body, and need to
be replenished every day.
Choose fresh fruit over juice. You get more of the
fiber and less of the sugar.
Eat more fish, beans, peas, nuts and seeds. They
contain healthier unsaturated fats, rather then
eating solid fats that come from animals.
Buy milk, yogurt and cheese. They are all rich in
calcium, which is essential for growing child.
Use Nutrition Facts labels and ingredient lists to
find amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and added
sugars in the foods and beverages you choose.
Sucking is a normal part of development, It
makes children feel secure and happy, helps
them learn about their world, and also may help
induce sleep. Infants and young children may
suck on thumbs, other fingers, pacifiers or other
objects. Prolonged thumb sucking may cause
problems with the proper growth of the mouth
including changes in the roof of the mouth, and
the alignment of teeth. Children who rest their
thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely
to experience difficulty than those who vigorously
suck their thumbs (popping sound when finger is
removed).
Pacifiers can affect the teeth in the same way as
does sucking on fingers and thumbs.
However, it is an easier habit to break.
Most children stop sucking their thumbs or other
fingers gradually on their own between the ages
of 2 and 4 years. Reward the child when he or
she avoids thumb sucking during a difficult
period, such as being separated from family
members.
PACIFIER
