1Toothbrushing
Help children build good brushing habits early. While they’re still babies, wipe their gums with a soft cloth and water after each feeding. As teeth emerge, use a soft toothbrush to clean the teeth and gums daily.
For toddlers, choose a soft toothbrush and a children’s toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association, free from harsh abrasives that can wear developing enamel.
- Age 2 and under: a smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
- Ages 2 to 5: a pea-sized amount.
- Don’t let your child swallow toothpaste. If they’re too young to spit, use fluoride-free toothpaste.
Help your child brush for the first few years, at least twice a day, using gentle circular motions on all teeth, the gums and the tongue. Keep supervising until about age 7.
2Flossing
Flossing removes plaque a toothbrush can’t reach, between the teeth and under the gum line. Start flossing your child’s teeth when they have two teeth that touch, and floss daily until they can do it well on their own.
3Eating a good diet
Teeth need nutrients from a well-balanced diet to grow and stay healthy. Encourage a variety of foods, with more whole fruits, vegetables and grains instead of sugary or fatty foods.
Be careful with snacks: sugary snacks lead to cavities, and the more often kids snack, the more likely they are to get tooth decay. Hard candy, mints and other foods that stay in the mouth a long time give bacteria more time to make acid that damages teeth.
Too many sugary and starchy foods leave plaque and acid lingering in the mouth, which leads to tooth decay. Calcium-rich foods like milk and dairy, plus fruits and vegetables high in vitamins A and C, help keep teeth and gums healthy.
Prenatal care: Even before your child is born, you can set the foundation for good oral health. Expecting mothers should take care of their own teeth and gums, since oral disease in mothers is associated with low birth weight and preterm birth.
4Dental exams & cleanings
Take your child to the dentist every 6 months, starting by their first birthday. Regular visits help keep teeth strong and help you spot early signs of trouble.
Tips for easy dental visits
5Digital x-rays
We’ve invested in the latest digital radiography, improving treatment planning while decreasing radiation exposure.
Dental x-rays detect cavities, show the progress of tooth growth, and help reveal bone disease and other problems that aren’t visible during an exam. Finding problems early can save money and avoid unnecessary procedures later. We may recommend x-rays once or twice a year depending on risk factors. The radiation is small, and your child is protected by a lead apron and other measures.
6Sealants
It’s hard for a toothbrush to get into the small cracks and grooves of back teeth. A sealant is a clear or tooth-colored material applied to a child’s back teeth that keeps food, plaque and acid out of the areas most prone to decay.
Sealants typically last three to five years. A sealant only protects when it’s fully intact, so let us know if a sealant comes off and we’ll schedule a time to reseal the tooth.
