Decatur, IL (Illinois) Pediatric Dentist Bret M. Jerger, DDS

The top front teeth are needed for speech development. The tongue rests against these teeth for proper pronunciation of sounds.
Primary teeth are necessary for chewing and to obtain proper nutrition for development.
Discomfort from a toothache and poor nutrition reduces a child's attention span and learning ability.
Having a healthy smile, consisting of a mouth without brown or black spots on teeth, is very important in developing a positive self-esteem.
Parents or adults need to brush for the child until age 7 and floss for the children until age 9
Brush after every meal.
Floss once a day.
Any beverage except for water will cause cavities if left on the teeth long enough.
Babies should never nap or sleep with a bottle
Toddlers should not nap or sleep with a tippy cup.
Stop pacifier and thumb habits by age one.
Have your child’s first dental visit by age 18 months.
Breast milk will cause decay if the baby falls asleep nursing.
Children should receive help brushing until around age seven.
Children require help flossing until at least nine years of age.
Start using a pea sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste at age two.
Get dental check-ups every six months.
X-rays are done once a year.
Do not dip a pacifier in anything sweet, such as honey.
There are twenty primary teeth.
The first primary tooth is not lost till around age six.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush-not hard.
Start flossing around age three or whenever the back molars touch.
A healthy smile is always in style!
Grinding is common when teeth are erupting.
Do not chew on ice!
Oral piercings are damaging to the teeth as well as the gingival tissues and tongue.
Carbohydrates break down into sugars, which cause cavities if left on long enough.
Sealants are 95% effective against cavities on the tops of the teeth when coupled with proper brushing and flossing.
Dentists recommend sealants on first and second molars, which erupt at about age six and twelve.
Appliances can be used at younger ages to make braces easier in the future. They “guide” growth.
Permanent teeth are naturally darker (more yellow) than primary teeth.
Do not swallow toothpaste!
Baby teeth aid in speech development.
Children should use mouth rinse without an alcohol content.
Replace your toothbrush every three months or after illness.
Keep your toothbrush at least six feet away from your toilet.