• Limit sweets and sugary drinks

• Limit the frequency that your child eats

• Do not let your child sleep with a baby bottle or carry a sippy cup around

• Use a pea sized amount of toothpaste

• Avoid prolonged habits because they can change the shape of the mouth ex. thumb sucking and tongue thrust and pacifiers

• Oral hygiene should begin before the first tooth

There are three recommendations for the parent/caregiver to keep from passing the bacteria that causes decay.

1. Swish with Listerine two (2) times a day for 30 seconds.

2. If you chew gum, make sure it contains xylitol to kill the bacteria.

3. The caregivers dental work needs to be complete before the baby errupts teeth.