Preventive

Infant Oral Health “101”

Guidelines For Promoting Oral Health For WIC’s Youngest Clients

Information Compiled by Kila Johnson, DDS

In keeping with WIC’s goals of improving the health of women and children, this presentation focuses on the important role the WIC program can play in educating parents and caregivers of very young children about the importance of maintaining oral health as a vital component of an infant’s overall health.

Importance of WIC-Dental Collaboration

Historically the dentist has not been an “early” healthcare

contact for parents of young children but more of a

necessity once oral disease presents itself.

Importance of WIC-Dental Collaboration

Collaborative efforts should be developed to effectively expand

efforts to prevent caries development in very young

children. This is done by educating and demonstrating to parents that care of the mouth

should not be separate from care of the rest of the body.

Importance of WIC-Dental Collaboration

What Are Health Care “Entry Points”?

Why Are They So Important To Promoting Oral Health Prevention?

Health Care “Entry Points”

In short, health care “entry points” are those health care services that

parents of infants are almost guaranteed to

utilize, especially in the first year of their

newborns life.

Health Care “Entry Points”

Hospital Newborn Infant Care Classes

Common Health Care Entry Points

Hospital Newborn Infant Care Classes

WIC Program Participation

Common Health Care Entry Points

Hospital Newborn Infant Care Classes

WIC Program Participation

Health Clinic Immunization Services

Common Health Care Entry Points

Hospital Newborn Infant Care Classes

WIC Program Participation

Health Clinic Immunization Services

Pediatric Well Child Visits

Common Health Care Entry Points

Did You Know…

One half of the infants born in the United

States are enrolled in the WIC program.

WIC’s Importance As An Entry Point

WIC is often the first contact with the health care system for

many expectant moms and parents of infants.

WIC’s Importance As An Entry Point

WIC nutritionists can play a critical role in helping parents understand

the “value” of oral health and motivate parents to prevent caries

in their young children.

WIC’s Importance As An Entry Point

WIC clients include pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding moms who are ideal candidates to educate

and teach oral health messages.

WIC’s Importance As An Entry Point

∗ “Baby Teeth” are not throw away teeth.

∗ Caries can develop in infants as young as 9 months of age.

∗ “Baby Teeth” are essential for proper nutrition.

Important Oral Health Facts

∗ Begin cleaning the infant’s gums with gauze or a clean damp cloth after each feeding.

∗ Preferably infants should not be put to sleep with a bottle. Any bottle that is taken to bed should only contain water.

∗ After nursing, remove the breast from a sleeping infant’s mouth and cleanse the gums and teeth (as soon as they erupt), after feedings and before bedtime.

∗ Clean your infants mouth after giving medications that may contain sugary flavoring agents.

Infant Oral Hygiene Recommendations

∗ Pacifiers should not be dipped in honey or milk and should never be cleaned in the parent’s own mouth and then given to the infant.

∗ Never add honey or sugar to the baby’s milk.

∗ Use a soft finger brush with a smear of non-fluoride toothpaste to clean the teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. As the infant develops more teeth, a safety-brush may be used for brushing.

∗ Encourage the use of tap water of nursery water containing fluoride to make baby formula.

Infant Oral Hygiene Recommendations

∗ Parents and caregivers should maintain their own oral health and never share utensils, cups, spoons or toothbrushes with the infant.

∗ Parents should start introducing the concept of drinking from a cup by 6 months of age and weaning infants from the bottle by age 1. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. When juice is offered, a cup should be used and the juice should be given with meals. As your infant begins walking, never allow them to walk around drinking from a bottle or “sippy cup” containing anything other than water.

∗ Parents should schedule the 1st dental visit as early as 6 months and no later than 1 year.

Infant Oral Hygiene Recommendations

Oral diseases in infants are almost entirely preventable

with proper oral hygiene and feeding practices that

promote oral health.

Take Home Message

WIC can assist in preventing oral health problems in infants through

oral health education, referral programs and nutritional

counseling.

Take Home Message

Treatment

is Good…

Take Home Message

Prevention is Better…

Take Home Message

Early Preventionis Best!

Take Home Message

Let’s Strive For The Best Oral Health Outcomes!!!

Take Home Message

Thank You for allowing the HCPHES Dental Health & Prevention program to share this important information with you today!

Questions?