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Your Questions Answered: Taking Care of Your Child’s Teeth Age 1-5

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May 21, 2025 Children
teeth
Keeping your child’s teeth healthy from an early age helps prevent cavities and sets the stage for lifelong good habits. Here are answers to common questions about caring for your child’s teeth and gums.

How Do Cavities Start?

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Everyone has bacteria in their mouth.
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When bacteria in the mouth mixes with food, it forms a sticky layer called plaque.
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Plaque bacteria use sugars and starches from food and drinks to make acid.

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Acid weaken tooth enamel and causes cavities.

Preventative Care

How Can I Prevent Cavities and Tooth Decay?

You can help protect your child’s teeth by following these steps:

  • Give your child healthy foods and limit juice, sugary drinks, candy, and desserts.
  • Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for 2 minutes using a soft toothbrush. Let your child watch you brush your teeth, too!
  • Never put your child to bed with a bottle unless it only has water.
  • Take your child to the dentist regularly to check for any tooth problems.
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When Should I Start Flossing My Child’s Teeth?
  • ✓ Once your child has two teeth that touch, start flossing.
  • ✓ Keep helping until they can floss on their own, usually between ages 7 and 10 years.
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What’s the Best Way to Brush?
  • ✓ Brush gently in small circles on all sides of the teeth.
  • ✓ Use a back-and-forth motion on the chewing surfaces.
What Kind and How Much
Toothpaste Should I Use?

Use fluoride toothpaste, as recommended by dental experts:

  • ✓ For babies and toddlers under 3 years, use a tiny smear (about the size of a grain of rice).
  • ✓ Around age 3, when your child learns to spit, use a pea-sized amount.
What About Fluoride Varnish?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends fluoride varnish every 3-6 months. Fluoride varnish is like a vitamin boost for your kid’s teeth. It’s a safe, sticky gel that a doctor or dentist paints on.

Here’s what it does:

  • Makes Teeth Stronger: It helps make the outside of teeth (enamel) tougher, so they can fight off cavities.
  • Stops Cavities: It helps stop new cavities from starting and can even help heal tiny ones that have already begun.
  • Easy to Use: It dries fast and sticks to teeth, so it works for months after the dentist applies it.
  • Safe for Kids: It’s safe for kids of all ages, even babies.
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Dental Care Basics

When Should My Child Visit the Dentist?

Schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday.

The visit should be friendly and educational so your child feels comfortable. After that, take your child to the dentist every six months to keep their teeth healthy.

When Can My Child Brush Their Own Teeth?

Once your child can hold a toothbrush, start teaching them how to brush.

Keep helping until they can spit out the toothpaste on their own, usually around age 7 or 8 years.

When Should I Replace My Child’s Toothbrush?

Replace your child’s toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if the bristles are worn out.
It’s also a good idea to get a new toothbrush after your child has been sick.

Is It Okay to Store Family Toothbrushes in the Same Cup?

No, because bacteria can spread from one toothbrush to another.

When toothbrushes touch, bacteria from one person’s mouth can transfer to another’s. If someone in the household is sick, it can increase the risk of spreading infections.

Toothbrushes stored together in a cup also often remain damp, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to grow. It’s best to store toothbrushes upright in individual holders, allowing them to air dry. If using a shared holder, make sure toothbrushes are spaced apart and not touching.

Nutrition and Dental Health

Can Certain Foods and Drinks Cause More Cavities?

Yes! Here are some tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy:

  • Encourage water as the main drink.
  • Help your baby stop using a bottle by 12-18 months to prevent tooth decay and other issues.
  • Limit juice to 4 ounces per day for kids ages 1-3 years, and 4-6 ounces for older kids.

Don’t offer sugary drinks before 2 years of age, including soda, fruit drinks, lemonade, and sports drinks.

What Foods Help Keep Teeth Healthy?

A balanced diet with protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy helps build strong teeth.

  • Fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C for healthy gums.
  • Dairy foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese give calcium for strong teeth and bones.
  • Cheese is a great snack because it helps protect teeth from acid.

Make brushing fun!

  • Let your child pick out their own toothbrush.
  • Play a silly song or wear a funny hat while brushing.
  • Try a power toothbrush with a built-in timer.
  • Find fun activities and coloring sheets at the American Dental Association website.
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Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles!

Taking care of your child’s teeth early on helps them develop strong, healthy smiles for life. By following these simple steps, you’re setting them up for good dental habits. If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth, talk to your dentist or pediatrician.

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REFERENCES

Tooth decay. (2023, August 28). MedlinePlus.
https://medlineplus.gov/toothdecay.html

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (2024). Policy on use of fluoride. In The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry (pp. 101-103).
https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/p_fluorideuse.pdf

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (2024). Policy on early childhood caries (ECC): Consequences and preventive strategies. In The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry (pp. 89-92).
https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/p_eccconsequences.pdf

Age group resources: Tips for parents. (n.d.). My Children’s Teeth. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from
https://www.mychildrensteeth.org/age-group-resources/tips-for-parents/
Shu, J. (2023, July 3). From bottle to cup, Helping Your Child Make a Healthy Transition. HealthyChildren.org.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Discontinuing-the-Bottle.aspx

Choose water for healthy hydration. (n.d.). HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Choose-Water-for-Healthy-Hydration.aspx

Dietary guidelines for babies and toddlers: A fact sheet. (n.d.). DietaryGuidelines.gov.
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/DGA_Babies_FactSheet-508c_0.pdf

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (n.d.). Healthy smiles guidebook.
https://www.aapd.org/assets/1/7/HealthySmilesGuidebook.pdf

Seymore, B. (n.d.). A mom’s guide to fluoride. MouthHealthy.org.
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/moms-guide-to-fluoride

Resources. (n.d.). MouthHealthy.org. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources

Author: Bridget Swinney MS, RDN, LD

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SIDE-LYING HOLD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE HOLD

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Laid-Back Hold

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position