Anticipatory Guidance

Teething and its signs, mouthing objects, nonnutritive sucking, sequence of tooth eruption, and injuries to newly erupted primary incisors as children learn to walk are just a few of the subjects that can be covered in helping parents anticipate potential oral health problems. Appropriate use of the nursing bottle, adequate fluoride exposure, and parents cleaning newly erupted teeth are guiding concepts that can help infants and toddlers toward good oral health.