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Good oral health is a part of good overall health. A child with cavities
and a painful mouth can lose focus while learning new skills at school
and at home. They may also have difficulty eating food, which helps their
bodies to grow. A child with a healthy mouth will have more confidence
when speaking, eating, and smiling with others.
Help your child have good oral
health. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's mouth and have
your child see a dentist reguarly starting
at age 1. I-Smile can help link families to preventive services like
fluoride applications. For assistance in receiving dental care, please
contact your local I-Smile Coordinator.
- Tooth decay can start early. All children should begin seeing a dentist
by age 1.
- Parents can easily pass cavity-causing germs to their children. Never
put pacifiers, forks, spoons, straws, toys, or other items in your
mouth and then into your child's mouth.
- Bedtime bottles and sippy cups should only contain water. Juice and
soda pop can cause tooth decay.
- Parents should brush their children's teeth for them until they are
7 or 8 years old. Even then, children may need your help to do a good
job brushing.
- Dental floss can clean places where a toothbrush cannot reach. As
soon as a child's teeth touch, a parent should begin flossing. Usually
children can floss their own teeth at about 9 years old.
- Soda pop - even diet - is especially harmful to tooth enamel.
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