Health Article

Children's Dental Health – Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Dental care starts early! Pregnant women should get prenatal care and eat a healthy diet that includes folic acid to ensure healthy oral development. During pregnancy, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and check with a doctor before taking any medications that could harm the unborn child.
Put only water in your baby’s bottle at bedtime or naptime. Milk, formula, juices, and other drinks contain sugar. Prolonged exposure to sugary drinks while baby sleeps – when saliva flow is reduced – increases the risk of tooth decay.
Schedule the first dentist appointment when a child is around 18 months old, and repeat every six months after that.
Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride. Use fluoridated toothpaste, putting only a pea-sized amount on your child’s toothbrush. If your drinking water is not fluoridated, talk to a dentist or physician about the best way to protect your child’s teeth.
Teach your child about the importance of flossing – you’ll probably need to help with this until he or she gets the hang of it!
Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals and to avoid frequent between-meal snacking.
Talk to your child’s dentist about dental sealants, which protect teeth from decay.
Make sure your child wears a helmet when bicycling and uses protective headgear and mouth guards in other sports activities.

Source: Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov