Babies at high risk for tooth decay

All babies should have an oral health risk assessment from their pediatrician or primary care doctor by age 6 months. Usually, your child's doctor makes this assessment during routine well-child visits.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends dental visits for all babies who are determined to be at high risk for developing dental cavities. When making this determination, the AAP recommends that a health professional consider whether a baby:¹

• Has visible signs of tooth decay, plaque, staining, or other problems.
• Has special health care needs.
• Regularly sleeps with a bottle or breast-feeds throughout the night.
• Has a mother who has a high rate of tooth decay.
• Is from a low-income family.
• Has older siblings.
• Has a family history of oral caries disease.

Citations

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2003). Oral health risk assessment timing and establishment of the dental home. Pediatrics, 111(5): 1113–1116.