Dental health and good dental habits begin even before teeth start growing. What we allow our babies to put in their mouths effects the shape that their mouths develop. This has an interesting sociological effect in our modern world. As examples of what different outcomes can occur we shall parallel Japanese culture with American culture. The pre-teething cultural influence of the two unique cultures lends to creating dental predestinations.

In American culture infants are given pacifiers to keep them from crying and to comfort them. This for many is a statement that has no real significance. Modern pacifiers are shaped especially so that they do not deform the child's developing mouth. Keeping the babies mouth from losing its form helps so that they have a better chance at having straight teeth and a healthy mouth. It is this attention to prevention in American society that causes Americans to use pacifiers rather than letting their children use their thumbs. American children are also taught to always use toothpaste when brushing their teeth. Toothpaste companies like Colgate and Aquafresh even make toothpaste intentionally directed towards children. They make sweet tasting toothpaste with cartoon characters on the tubes so that children would look forward to brushing their teeth. American children are also instilled with the notion that bad breath is undesirable and

The Japanese encourage their children to suck on their thumbs to pacify themselves. It is this choice that causes many Japanese children to deform there mouths as toddlers and later have crooked teeth. For the Japanese simplicity is a way of life, and therefore they do not need to give their children designed oral gadgets for comfort when they are born with them. In early education of Japanese children are not reinforced by parents and teachers to brush with toothpaste. Japanese youths are also not encouraged to visit dentist regularly. They resort to the dentist when they have toothaches. It is these colloquial sentiments towards dental hygiene that create a difference in the outcome.

It is the lessons and the customs that we are given as children that lead us to their dental future. Children learn all of their essential lessons in life from their parents, so it is crucial that we consider their future. It is necessary to equip younger generations with all the information they need in order to help them make healthy choices.