Children oral health

Infant care

• Use a washout or small amount of gauze to gently wipe your child’s gums even before his or her teeth begin to come in.
• Ensure your child only eats healthy foods.
• Give your child lots of milk and water to drink, avoid juice and other sugary drinks.
• Do not use fluoride tooth paste, until after age 2.
• Finds a pediatric dentist and schedule your child’s first appointment as soon as his or her first tooth emerges no later than his or her first birthday.
• Continue to schedule regular dental checkups.
• Limit snacks.
• Switch from bottles to cups after your child’s first birthday unless bottles are medically necessary.
• A frozen teething ring or a cool spoon can help alleviate teething pain.

Toddler care

• Toddlers usually begin to brush their own teeth around age 2 but may need assistance up to age 5.
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing toddler’s teeth.
• Don’t allow your child to swallow tooth paste.
• Choose a child sized toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Brush inside surfaces of the child’s teeth first, angling bristles toward the gum line.
• Next, clean outside surfaces of your child’s teeth brushing gently the entire time.
• Finally, brush the chewing surface of the teeth.
• Start a brushing routine well bedtime so your child won’t be too tired to brush.

School-age child care

• Continue to encourage your child to brush and floss regularly.
• Routine checkups remain important as your child gets older.
• If your child participates in sports make sure he or she wears a properly fitted mouth guard to protect teeth.
• Promote healthy eating by preparing healthy lunches than don’t include soft drinks or sugary foods.