Tooth decay in children is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.* Left untreated, the pain tooth decay causes can lead to problems with eating, speaking and learning. You can fight tooth decay with the right oral care at home and regular trips to the dentist.
Make sure you have a dental plan to help cover checkups.
Oral care for babies and toddlers
Cleaning your baby’s mouth even before teeth come in is an important way to prevent harmful bacteria from building up. Bacteria cause plaque, which leads to tooth decay. Here’s how to keep small mouths clean:
- Use a clean, wet cloth wrapped around your finger to clean your baby’s gums after each meal.
- As soon as the first teeth come in, use an infant-sized toothbrush to clean all tooth surfaces.
- Take your child for a dental visit by their first birthday to help prevent problems.
- As soon as two teeth touch each other, floss between them once a day.
- At about age 2, or when your child is old enough not to swallow it, begin using a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.
- Continue to help your child brush and floss until they can do a good job on their own.
Signs of dental problems in children
Check your child’s mouth regularly for signs of tooth decay or infection. See your dentist right away if your child has:
- A tooth that is darker in color
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Red, bleeding or swollen gums
- A toothache
How to prevent tooth decay
You can help kids fight tooth decay with a few healthy habits and regular dental checkups:
- Keep your own mouth healthy. Get regular dental exams and practice good oral hygiene daily. This can help prevent the transfer of germs and bacteria to your baby.
- Avoid bedtime bottles. Putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice keeps sugary liquids on your baby’s teeth and causes tooth decay.
- Avoid sharing spoons and other utensils. These can transfer bacteria to your baby.
- Teach your child to drink water. Frequent sips from training cups filled with sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay. Teach your child to use a regular cup at 12 months and only fill it with water.
- Limit sugar and sweet drinks. Sweet treats like candy, fruit juice and soda bathe the teeth in sugar that can lead to tooth decay.
- Offer healthy snacks. Cheese, yogurt and milk are good for teeth and are healthy between-meal snacks.
- Get enough fluoride. Fluoride strengthens teeth and helps prevent damage. If you don’t have fluoride in your water, talk to your dentist about fluoride treatments or supplements.
- Brush and floss. Start good oral health habits early and teach kids to brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
- Ask about dental sealants. These coatings are applied to the teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Ask if sealants are right for your child and check your plan to see if they’re covered.
- Get regular dental checkups. Visit your dentist regularly to help keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy. Your dentist can tell you how often your child should visit.
Blue Cross Dental plans
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota makes it easy to protect your oral health. We offer a range of dental plans to fit your needs and budget.
All Blue Cross Dental plans cover preventive care, including routine exams, X-rays and cleanings. Depending on the coverage you choose, your plan may also help pay for fillings, crowns and other services.
As a Blue Cross Dental member, you’ll have easy access to dental care with one of the largest dental networks in the nation. Many dentists in the network also offer discounts on services your plan doesn’t cover, including services you receive after you reach your yearly maximum benefit.
Anyone can enroll in a Blue Cross Dental plan, even if you don’t have Blue Cross health insurance or are on Medicare. Blue Cross Dental plans are an affordable and easy way to get proper dental care for you and your family.