Irresistible Stories: MDA Dentists Address Infant Oral Health Misinformation

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that begins in the womb, providing a sense of security or relaxation. It helps many infants and toddlers lull themselves to sleep. However, this habit can be difficult to break. The longer a child sucks their thumb, the greater the impact it can have on their oral development¹.

Children who engage in prolonged, vigorous thumb sucking are more likely to face bite development problems and misalignment of the primary (baby) teeth. Chronic thumb sucking contributes to the maldevelopment of the orofacial muscles and soft palate, which in turn impacts the positioning of the tongue. This affects a child’s ability to chew, impacts speech development, and can lead to tongue-thrusting.

While thumb sucking is quite natural—and expected—it’s a good idea to gently encourage leaving this behavior behind by the time children reach their toddler years (2-4 years old).

Babies are at risk for developing cavities as soon as their first teeth appear. Also known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and Baby Bottle Decay, these cavities often result from prolonged exposure to the sugars in liquids, such as milk and juice. Even breast milk contains natural sugars that feed oral bacteria and attack the enamel of emerging teeth2.

Fortunately, wiping a baby’s gums after each feeding and avoiding putting a baby to bed with a bottle can help prevent the development of this painful childhood illness.

As their caregiver, you can start cleaning your baby’s mouth in the first few days following their birth. Even before their teeth emerge, clean gums with a soft, damp cloth, a new moist gauze pad, or a baby gum brush to remove harmful bacteria. Not only does this help babies adjust to the sensation of having their gums and teeth cleaned, but it’s also a good time to check for sores, lesions, and other issues.

It’s also important to keep taking good care of your own oral health. Parents and caretakers with cavities can easily spread the cavity-causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, to the baby by sharing food or giving kisses near the mouth.

Baby teeth are susceptible to tooth decay as soon as they appear. Usually, around 6 months, an infant’s four front teeth will begin to peek through their gums, although some children may not see their first tooth until 12 or 14 months.

MDA dentists encourage caregivers to brush their baby’s teeth twice daily. For children under 3, use an extra soft child’s toothbrush and a dab of ADA-approved children’s fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice both morning and night or as directed by your MDA dentist³.

“Licking clean” a baby’s pacifier, feeding spoon, or anything that goes in their mouth can transfer the cavity-causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, from adult to child. Infants exposed to this bacteria early in life (even before their teeth arrive) are at an increased risk of developing cavities as soon as those tiny teeth emerge².

As frustrating as it can be, once a feeding spoon or pacifier hits the floor, it’s considered dirty and shouldn’t go in a baby’s mouth. If dropped utensils are an issue at feeding time, try getting ahead of the game. Keep another clean spoon by your side and out of the baby’s reach until needed.

Cool teething toys can soothe aching gums as your baby’s teeth emerge, but frozen teething rings and ice cubes can be too hard and too cold for a baby’s soft, sensitive gum tissue. Instead, opt for solid plastic—not metal—teething rings that are cool but not frozen to ease teething discomfort⁴.

MDA dentists also advise against using teething necklaces and bracelets as they present choking and strangulation risks. In addition, avoid applying topical pain relievers to your baby’s gums, which can numb their throat and affect their ability to swallow.

If your infant uses a pacifier, make it a sterilized one. Non-sterilized pacifiers can harbor harmful microbes that are linked to oral yeast infections, also known as oral thrush. In agreement with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, MDA dentists recommend sterilizing or disinfecting pacifiers by boiling them in water for 15 minutes or spraying them with a child-safe antimicrobial agent⁵.

In your baby’s first weeks and months, your MDA dentist can check for oral challenges that may affect healthy development. As babies grow, MDA dentists can look for early signs of sleep breathing disorders, including enlarged tonsils, as well as the early effects of oral habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which may cause issues with the tongue, teeth, and mouth.

Difficulty latching during breastfeeding may be the result of an oral development issue. Pediatric dentists can help detect and treat congenital malformations such as tongue-tie, which prevent babies from being able to latch and suckle effectively⁶.

The candida fungus that causes oral thrush can easily be passed from parent to child (and back again) through breastfeeding. Infants who are on or recently finished antibiotics are especially susceptible to developing oral thrush infections. To help prevent the transmission of thrush, healthcare providers recommend that lactating individuals change their breast pads regularly, clean their nipples thoroughly, and visit their doctor if they suspect an infection⁷.

Even before their first tooth arrives, start by cleaning your baby’s gums after feeding in the same way every day. Beginning an oral care routine from infancy can help prepare babies for healthy oral development. Caregivers and children both benefit from following a routine, so build oral care into your baby’s daily schedule—especially before they go down for the night.

As your baby’s caregiver, you can make tooth brushing a fun experience. Choose—or even make up—a song to sing during this time. Sing the same song every time, each day. It establishes a familiar routine. Many parents say their brushing song keeps both them and their baby calmer and also keeps time, so you don’t rush through oral care.

As soon as the first tooth erupts within their first six months, or definitely by their first birthday, bring your baby in for their first dental appointment. Your MDA dentist can perform a quick infant oral health exam to evaluate if they need any additional care and provide guidance for caregivers on how to protect their infant’s oral health³.