Children’s Dental Health Month

From birth through the teenage years, parents must heed their children’s evolving dental needs. Developing healthy habits and visiting the dentist regularly helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Delta Dental brings you an age-by-age breakdown of helpful facts and tips regarding your children and their oral health.

Infants

• Dental visits. Take your child to the dentist shortly after the first tooth comes in, typically between 6 months to 1 year of age.
• Before teeth erupt. Clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush at bath time and after each feeding.
• After teeth erupt. Clean them at least twice a day with a toothbrush designed for small children.
• Pacifiers over thumbs. The pacifier habit is easier to break at an earlier age, which can lessen the chances of developing crowded, crooked teeth or bite problems.

Preschoolers

• Dental visits. Go yearly until your child turns 3. At that point, plan on making two visits a year.
• Brushing. Parents should brush preschoolers’ teeth and supervise brushing for school-age children until age 7 or 8.
• Flossing. Begin flossing when all the baby teeth have erupted, usually by age 2.
• Toothpaste. Children 3 years and younger are most susceptible to tooth enamel defects caused by swallowing fluoride toothpaste. Use minimal toothpaste and remind them to spit it out afterward.

School-Age Children

• Dental visits. Twice a year, unless otherwise specified by your dentist.
• Brushing. Supervise your child’s brushing until they turn 7 or 8. Encourage your child to floss too, and supervise until they reach age 10.
•  Snacking. Lose the high-fat, high-sugar snacks and go for fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese and low-fat yogurt instead.
• Mouth guards. Insist your child wear one during activities with a risk of falls or head contact with other players or equipment.

Teenagers

• Dental visits. Twice a year, unless otherwise specified by your dentist.
• Daily care. Brush after breakfast and before bed with fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily.
• Snacking. The average teen eats nine times a day, so snacking on healthy foods is essential.
• Mouth piercings. Avoid piercings of the tongue, lip and cheek. They increase the risk of infection, cracked or chipped teeth, soft tissue damage and choking if jewelry becomes unfastened.