OHRA - Minimize Risk for Infection

Minimize Risk for Infection

	Address active oral health disease in mother/caregiver.

	Educate mother/caregiver about the mechanism of cariogenic bacteria transmission.

	Mother/caregiver should model positive oral hygiene behaviors for their children.

	Recommend xylitol gum to mothers/caregiver.

	Many parents may not be aware of the importance of their own oral health for their baby’s health. Even if parents do not implement all of these identified strategies at once, it is important to begin the process of education.

	The importance of primary teeth is often missed. Primary teeth are important for maintaining space; loss of baby teeth due to caries is a common cause of malocclusion. Healthy teeth are needed for adequate nutrition and normal speech development and can impact the older child’s self-esteem. Once caries has progressed to the point of cavitation, the disease is irreversible and cumulative. If baby teeth become severely involved, then restoration under general anesthesia is often necessary.

	Parents can model good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and making regular visits to the dentist.