Guide Your Child on Their Journey to a Healthy Smile

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

This observance reinforces the importance of oral health among children and promotes good dental care habits, including routine dental visits that can help children maintain a healthy smile now and for years to come.

According to the 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 10 children, ages 2–5 had at least one untreated cavity in their baby teeth. By ages 6–8, it was nearly 1 in 5 children. About 11% of children ages 2–5 had one or more primary teeth with untreated decay (CDC).

Untreated cavities can cause infections and pain that may impact eating, speech, and learning. The good news is that cavities are preventable!

Lead your Child on the Path to a Bright and Healthy Smile

Your child’s journey to a healthy smile begins with you. Teaching your child the importance of good oral hygiene habits at an early age can help them achieve the goal of a healthy, lifelong smile. Below are steps you can take to help your child have a bright and healthy smile as they grow.

Infancy (0-12 months)

It is never too early to start caring for your child’s oral health. Preparing your child for a healthy smile begins even before their first baby tooth appears. It is important to clean their gums daily and after feedings to wipe away any build-up of germs.

• Once a day, wet a washcloth with water, wrap it around your index finger, and gently wipe across the outside and inside of both the upper and lower gums. When solid foods are introduced, be sure to clean the gums after every meal.
• Once their first teeth come in, you can brush them with a rice grain-sized amount or a smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Begin to floss once a day, as soon as your child has two teeth that touch one another.
• Schedule you baby’s first dental visit within six months of the appearance of the first tooth, but no later than their first birthday.

Early childhood (1-5 years)

Proper dental care is a team effort between a parent/caregiver, child, and dental provider. Although baby teeth will fall out, it is important to keep them in good health as they hold a place for incoming adult teeth. Here are steps to keep your child’s teeth healthy.

• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for two minutes with a child-sized toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Start with a grain-sized amount of toothpaste for children under 3 years old. Use a pea-sized amount for children 3 years and older. Brush in the morning and before bed.
• Floss your child’s teeth at least once a day. There are a few options to help make flossing easier. Choose from string floss, dental picks, or tiny brushes. Speak with your child’s dental provider for guidance on flossing.
• Visit the dentist every six months. Early prevention and intervention can prevent tooth decay and reduce dental care costs.

School-aged children (6-13 years)

According to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), 351,000 children and teens missed at least one or more days of school due to dental problems in the past year (2022). Teaching children how to properly brush and floss is one of the most important steps parents and caregivers can take to ensure their kids maintain a healthy smile.

• Guide your child with their home dental care routine. You may have to brush your child’s teeth a second time, reaching areas he/she may have missed, such as their molars. Click here for a video on how to teach your child to brush their teeth. Click here for tips to encourage your child to floss daily.
• Continue to guide your child with their dental care until they are at least eight years old. Help older children by being creative and supportive. Try rewarding good brushing habits.
• Stay committed to scheduled dental check-ups. Visiting the dentist every six months can help detect and treat dental problems early on before they become more serious. Routine visits also allow the dentist to provide proper brushing and flossing techniques to ensure the best home dental care between appointments.

Healthy Teeth Tips

Helping your child develop healthy dental care habits can help them continue with an attitude of good oral health into adulthood. The tips listed below can help protect your child from tooth decay.

• Offer healthy food options and limit sugar-sweetened snacks and beverages.
• Drink tap water. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth. Many community water systems are fluoridated. Click here to see if your city’s water system is fluoridated.
• Ask the dental provider about fluoride varnish and dental sealants.
• Be a good role model. Children are more likely to engage in positive dental care habits if you are taking care of your own oral health.