A Guide to Good Oral Health for Persons with Special Needs continued Oral Health Considerations during the Growth and Development of a Child Try to prevent thumb-sucking, finger-sucking, or pacifier habits, which may cause future malocclusions (bite abnormalities), because the child may not be amenable to orthodontic therapy. Keep an infant's gum pads clean to help reduce teething discomfort. Use a gauze wipe or a washcloth. An early initial dental exam is important to monitor proper growth and development and to detect dental decay. It will also help to mold the child's behavior by providing a positive initial experience. Be aware of "nursing bottle mouth." Do not put the child to bed for a nap or a night's sleep with a bottle of sweetened liquid in his or her mouth (e.g. milk formula or fruit juices). When the child is sleeping, a decrease in salivary flow allows the sugary liquid to remain in the child's mouth for a longer time, causing tooth decay. Breast-feeding over a long period of time can cause a similar problem. Some liquid medications contain from 30 to 50 percent sucrose, such as those used for preventing heart disease, seizures, or recurrent infections. These sugar-laden oral medications are most often given at nap or bed time, when salivary flow is diminished and will not wash away the liquids. Give the doses of medications when the child is awake, and have the child rinse thoroughly after each dose. Be sure to inform your dentist of the medications the child is taking, and the frequency and time of the dosages prescribed. Request sugar-free medications from your pharmacist. There is a wide range of timetables for the eruption of primary and permanent teeth. Frequent dental care (at least semiannually) can help to insure proper guidance of developing teeth and, if necessary, early interception of future malocclusions (bite abnormalities). If the child's primary tooth has not fallen out and the permanent tooth is erupting, seek care as soon as possible. Prompt removal of the primary tooth can prevent a crossbite or other orthodontic problems that may not be easily treatable. If tooth crowding is present, an early orthodontic consultation is advisable. There are certain procedures that may limit or possibly avoid extensive orthodontic treatment. << Previous Page             Return to main page This Guide to Good Oral Health for Persons with Special Needs was produced with the support of Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, presented by Special Smiles and Boston University. Authors: Steven P. Perlman, DDS, MScD; Clive Friedman, DDS; Glenn H. Kaufhold. Special thanks to Susann Clifford, RDH; Kathy Olson, RDH; and David Tesini, DMD