Snacks for toddlers and older children should be low in sugar and should not include sticky foods that remain in the mouth for long periods of time, such as chewy candies and raisins. Foods like vegetables, fruits, cheese and unsweetened fruit juices are accepted by children who have not formed the habit of eating snacks. Oral habits Thumbsucking Sucking is a natural, normal desire and need for the infant. However, if the habit persists beyond four or five years of age, consult your pediatric dentist for advice regarding its effect on oral development, if any, and recommendations for management. Pacifiers A pacifier is not necessary for every child.
Controversy exists concerning whether a thumb or pacifier is better.
The decision should be left to the parents, or in many cases, the infant. If you feel your baby needs a pacifier, ask your pediatric dentist or physician for the correct style. Avoid putting sweets on the pacifier to encourage its use. As soon as the teeth erupt, bacteria begin to accumulate in the mouth and may combine with sugar to form acid. Along with limiting foods that contain sugar, cleaning an infant's teeth should begin when the first tooth erupts.