February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. It’s a good time to review your child’s oral health habits and make sure that your family is following best practices.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet cavities are preventable.”
Additionally, more than one in five children aged 2 to 5 years has at least one cavity in their baby teeth, according to the CDC. Cavities can cause tooth infections, become painful, and affect a child’s ability to eat, speak, play and learn.
Here are 20 dental hygiene tips for kids of all ages from the CDC and American Dental Association.
Infants & Toddlers
From the gummy infant grins to the toothy toddler smiles, your baby’s mouth is an important part of their health and development. Oral health issues can happen early and quickly. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you’re making your baby’s oral care a top priority.
1. From birth until their first tooth, wipe baby’s gums after every meal. This removes bacteria and bits of food.
2. Do not put babies to bed with a milk or juice bottle/sippy cup. Water is fine.
3. Once your baby starts getting teeth, brush twice a day with a baby tooth brush. A small smear of fluoride toothpaste is recommended after the first tooth erupts, but consult with your dentist or doctor about when to start using fluoride toothpaste if your child is under age 2.
4. Limit sweet, processed snacks and encourage your toddler to snack on fresh fruits and veggies.
5. Schedule your baby’s first dentist visit by their first birthday or after their first tooth appears, whichever comes first.
6. Introduce a sippy cup. Your baby should be ready to drink from an age-appropriate cup by age 1. The training cup will help your child learn how to use a regular cup. Water is the best drink. Do not let your toddler sip on sugary drinks all day.
7. Do not put your baby’s bottle, pacifier or utensils in your mouth. You can pass cavity-causing germs. Rinse off items with water to clean them.
Children over the age of 3
By age 3, your child will have about 20 baby teeth, according to the American Dental Association. These baby teeth will help your child eat, speak, and smile. They also hold space for permanent teeth.
8. Children should brush with pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day — once in the morning and once at night before bed — for at least two minutes, according to the American Dental Association. Sing a silly song or use a timer to make sure they’re brushing long enough.
9. Use floss daily to clean between teeth.
10. Supervise brushing until your child can spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.
11. Encourage your child to eat fruit, vegetables and snacks that are low in sugar.
12. Limit sugary drinks and encourage kids to drink water with fluoride, which helps rinse food particles and bacteria. Fluoride rebuilds the surface of the tooth, keeps teeth strong and prevents decay.
13. See the dentist regularly. Your child should see a dentist every six months in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
14. Ask your dentist about sealants. A sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that your dentist can place on the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent back teeth. Sealants keep cavity-causing bacteria and bits of food from settling into the nooks and crannies your child’s toothbrush can’t reach.
Tweens, Teens & Adults
By the time your child is 9-10 years old, they will have many of their adult teeth. It’s important that your child is caring properly for their permanent teeth.
15. Use a mouthguard if your child plays sports. A soft plastic mouthguard can be used to protect a child’s teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sport-related injuries. You can also get a custom-fitted mouthguard from a pediatric dentist.
16. In addition to brushing and flossing, your child can chew gum with xylitol, a non-sugar naturally occurring substance, to stimulate saliva flow which helps to clean the mouth, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (just make sure it’s allowed at school or activities and keep away from dogs as it can be toxic).
17. Avoid carbonated beverages which erode enamel on teeth. Sport drinks and juice pouches are also bad for teeth as they keep acid levels high.
18. Talk to your dentist before using whitening products. Teens may want to whiten their teeth, and most over the counter whitening toothpastes are ok to use, as long as they have fluoride, have ingredients that fight plaque and tartar and have the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. However, some teeth whitening products can irritate the gums and make teeth sensitive so it’s best to consult a dentist before use.
19. Watch for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 in the very back of your mouth, one in each quadrant — upper left, lower left, upper right and lower right. Some people may not develop them. You may need to have your wisdom teeth removed if they cause pain, infection or other oral health issues, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
20. Avoid tobacco use. Tobacco products can stain your teeth, gives you bad breath and increases your chance of getting gum disease. Tobacco products also lessen your sense of taste and smell, so you may not be aware that you have bad breath.
