Practice good oral hygiene with your child to prevent dental disease.

What can you do to keep your baby’s mouth healthy?

• Keep your baby’s bottle out of the crib (pacifiers are OK). ...more
  
  
• Serve only formula and breast milk in baby’s bottle. Serve juice in a regular cup. ...more



• Do not serve juice or other sugary drinks, like soda or sports drinks, in bottles or sippy cups. ...more



• Start teaching your baby to drink from a regular cup at 6 months of age. ...more
  
  
• Clean your baby’s mouth starting at birth. Use a soft washcloth or infant toothbrush and water. ...more
  
  
• Do not share spoons, pacifiers, or cups to avoid passing germs to your baby. ...more
  
  
• Check your baby’s teeth once a month. Healthy teeth should be all one color. If spots appear, see a dentist.  ...more
  
  
• Take your child to a dentist no later than the first birthday.