Taking care of smile causes child to beam Published Feb. 24, 2009 By Staff Sgt. MIRIAM LARSON 56th Dental Squadron LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Silver Tooth Fairy glitter on the pillow of a 6-year-old is a hallmark of happiness when that first tooth comes out. The child wants to share the event with parents, grandparents and friends. Contrast this joy with the pain children with severe baby bottle tooth decay experience and the worry, financial burden and social embarrassment of their parents. Children with severe tooth decay may require multiple pediatric dental appointments and full-mouth rehabilitation in an oral surgery unit to restore to health the brown, cavity-laden teeth. Home care is what can make the difference. Unbelievably, some children with early tooth decay were given pacifiers dipped in liquor or honey. A child who falls asleep with a bottle in his mouth filled with milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquids is unlikely to swallow the contents of the bottle. If not swallowed, the liquid can sit in the mouth surrounding the teeth and accelerate the rate of tooth decay. Parents are wrong to think that since they're just baby teeth, they don't matter. It does matter, according to Capt. Rush Davidson, 56th Dental Squadron preventive dentistry officer. "Healthy baby teeth are needed for chewing, speaking and smiling," he said. "The first set of teeth also maintains jaw space, which reduces the risks of crowded adult teeth." The good news is that tooth decay is preventable. The American Dental Association shares tips to transform children's dental experiences into joyous adventures. The most important tip is to introduce them to a friendly dentist by the child's first birthday. A healthy, natural, first-tooth-lost smile will show the positive results of early, good dental habits. February is National Children's Dental Health Month, but healthy teeth will happen only when taken care of daily. For more information on how to maintain healthy teeth in children, call the 56th DS at (623)-856-7535.