The Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Oral Health (ADHS OOH), which is working to prevent dental disease in children and adults, is launching a media and information campaign statewide to increase awareness that tooth decay in young children is caused by bacteria (strep mutans) that are passed from caregiver to baby during the first years of the child’s life. Materials to be distributed in four Arizona counties include advertising via radio stations and outdoor posters, and posters and brochures that will be distributed to parents through local WIC offices, Head Start programs and dental clinics.
By age three more than 30% of children already have tooth decay. This preventable disease is caused when sugar or starch from food is combined with germs (strep mutans), passed to them by caregivers, which produces the acid that causes tooth decay. Germs are transferred to baby by caregivers when they share utensils or food with the baby, or when they lick a pacifier to ‘clean’ it before giving it to the baby.
Parents and caregivers should take the following steps to help protect their baby’s teeth:
- Never share food or utensils with the baby.
- Never lick the baby’s pacifier to ‘clean’ it before giving it to the baby.
- Adult caregivers should take care of their own dental needs to reduce the amount of bacteria that can potentially be passed on to the baby.
- Never let baby fall asleep with a bottle.
- Wipe baby’s teeth and gums after every feeding and especially at night.
- Check baby teeth regularly and take the baby to the dentist if there are any changes in tooth color (a baby’s teeth should be all one color).
- Limit sweet foods and drinks in the child’s diet.
For more information about children’s dental health visit
www.azdhs.gov or call 800-232-1676. For information about oral health of children in your county, see the attached fact sheet.
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