Children’s Dental Health Month 2020
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February is Children’s Dental Health month! Here are some tips from the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Healthy Smiles program for keeping children’s teeth healthy. Check out the downloadable tip sheets at the bottom of the list.
Dental Health Tips for Parents of Young Children
- A tooth needs to be cleaned as soon as it can be seen in the mouth.
- Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes.
- For infant care, use a washcloth, small soft toothbrush, or finger brush.
- Brushing:
- Use a pea size amount of toothpaste on the brush.
- Use a soft small toothbrush.
- Brush in circles.
- Brush your gums and teeth.
- Open your mouth and brush top and bottom separately.
- Brush all surfaces of all teeth.
- Don’t forget to brush the tongue.
- Rinse out thoroughly with water.
- Replace your child’s toothbrush every three months or after your child has been sick.
- It is recommended that parents help children with brushing until they are 7 years old.
- Bring your child to the dentist for their first visit at age one.
- Tooth decay is caused by bacteria, which can be transferred from family members. Don’t share toothbrushes, cups, or utensils.
- To prevent tooth decay, only give young children formula, milk, or water to drink.
- Once teeth are present, only give your child water during the night.
- Limit drinks that contain high amounts of sugar (like juice) and snacks that stick to the teeth (like crackers and gummies). They increase the likelihood of tooth decay.
- Rinse with water after eating when you do not have a brush. This washes away food and mouth germs.
- Cambridge water contains fluoride, which prevents decay by making your teeth stronger.
