Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health Pocket Guide National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
 
INFANCY • BIRTH–11 MONTHS


photo of of infantHealth professionals should select the information in this section that is most appropriate, using clinical judgment to decide what is timely and relevant for each individual infant and family.

Family Preparation

To help prepare families for oral health supervision visits, health professionals can provide parents with a list of topics to discuss at the next visit. Topics may include the following:

  • Changes in the teeth and the mouth
  • Oral hygiene practices (frequency, problems)
  • Use of fluoridated water for drinking, cooking, or formula preparation
  • Fluoride use (fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride supplements)
  • Use of bottle or cup by infant
  • Feeding practices
  • Non-nutritive sucking (pacifier, thumb, finger)
  • Illnesses or infections
  • Medications
  • Injuries to the teeth or the mouth
  • Use of tobacco by parents