Oral Health Facts and Tips

Hello Parents and Caregivers!

This page provides some guidance and resources as you and your families get started on your oral health journeys.

Below you’ll find information on:

What is oral health and why it matters
How oral health can impact your overall health
Preventative dentistry and dental homes
How to prepare for your child’s first visit
Dental care and hygiene through the early childhood years

What is oral health and why is it important?

Oral health refers to the health of the teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew. Oral health is a window to overall health and well-being. The mouth is connected to the rest of the body. How the teeth and gums are treated can have lasting effects.

How does Oral Health impact overall health?

Oral Health is more than just a pretty smile. Poor oral health can affect one’s ability to speak, eat, and smile. It can also affect your one’s self-esteem, performance, and attendance in school. Poor oral health can cause pain, tooth decay, gum disease and contribute to other conditions and diseases in the body during a person’s lifetime.

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry are the steps taken by you, or your dentist, to keep your mouth healthy and prevent disease. It includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and maintaining good oral health habits like daily brushing and flossing.

Why is preventive dentistry important?

Early and regular preventive dental care allows the dentist to maintain and monitor one’s teeth and gums. If any dental issues develop, the dentists can be proactive and treat these issues early, preventing major problems down the line.

What is a dental home and why is it important?

A dental home is a place where you establish a trusting relationship with the dental providers caring for you. Therefore you attend your regular check-ups and feel supported. There are multiple benefits to establishing a dental home:

Patients feel more comfortable and less anxious about dental care
Regular visits will help prevent cavities and other oral problems
The dental team will guide you on how to take care of your teeth and gums at home By visiting regularly, the dentist can treat problems early, making easier and less expensive
They can take care of your urgent needs, but also make referrals to specialists.

Why Go to The Dentist?

The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating, and other medical issues. Kids with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence.

When should your child start seeing a dentist?

It is recommended that children see a dentist when they get their first tooth, or by age 1. As soon as the child gets teeth, they can get cavities. When you start early, you can ensure a life of good oral health.

How often should your child see a dentist?

Routine dental check-ups are usually every six months. But every person is different, and some people may need to see the dentist a little more often.

Scheduling Your First Oral Examination

This is the most important visit, and it should occur as soon as the first tooth appears, and it should not be later than 1 year old (12 months). Your child should be seen by a dentist within this timeframe to avoid any risks for developing oral health diseases.

Preparing Your Child for the Visit

There are some important steps to take before your visit, so it runs smoothly.

Start early.
Be positive and avoid details.
Find an awesome practice for your kid and take a tour prior to your visit.
Tell your child about his/her appointment.
Watch videos, read books, print fun activities about going to the dentist.
Let your dentist explain the details and what to expect from the dental visit.
Use positive reinforcement.

Family Preparation and Recommendations

Parents should be prepared for oral health visits. Health professionals can provide parents with a list of topics to discuss during the visit. Topics may include the following:
- Changes in the teeth and the mouth
- Oral hygiene practices (frequency, problems)
- Use of fluoridated water for drinking, cooking, or formula preparation
- Fluoride use (fluoridated toothpaste, fluoridated mouth rinse, fluoride supplements)
- Use of bottle or cup by child
- Feeding and eating practices
- Non-nutritive sucking (pacifier, thumb, finger)
- Illnesses or infections
  Medications
- Injuries to the teeth or mouth
- Parents’ tobacco use
It is important to become familiar with the normal appearance of the child’s gums and teeth. This will help you identify if and when some issue occurs (see Tooth Eruption Chart).
Check your child’s gums and teeth about once a month.

General Tips

Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush, preferably one with a small head.
Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to give your teeth extra benefits.
Don’t rinse with water after brushing, the leftover toothpaste provides extra protection.
Don’t forget to brush the tongue.

Oral Hygiene throughout the years

Before the first tooth…

Clean your baby’s gums and tongue with a soft-wet cloth to remove leftover milk or foods. There are many devices designed to help you introduce brushing at a young age: finger toothbrushes, training toothbrushes made out of silicone, teethers with bristles or irregular areas, they all not only stimulate the gums but also help get baby used to a future tooth brushing routine.

From the first tooth to age 3…

Brush your baby’s teeth with a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste twice a day (after breakfast and before bed). Use just a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Use infant toothbrushes and don’t forget the tongue and areas with no teeth as well.

Start introducing flossing early, especially if there are teeth that touch each other. Small flossers with shapes, colors, and flavors, may help kids be more receptive.

Children 3 to 6 years…

Brush your child’s teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste twice a day (after breakfast and before bed). Kids should spit out the toothpaste after brushing but shouldn’t rinse with water. The small amount of fluoridated toothpaste that remains in the mouth helps prevent tooth decay. Make sure to reach all the way to the back where the first permanent tooth may start to come out. Because brushing requires good fine motor control, young children cannot clean their teeth effectively without parental help. Flossing becomes even more important at this stage.

Ages 7 and up...

Reinforce the routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Make sure you supervise your child’s brushing at least once a day (preferably the nighttime brushing), until they acquire fine motor skills (e.g., the ability to tie their shoelaces), and they are effective on their own.

Children with special needs

Although all the tips mentioned above still apply, some kids with special needs may need certain modifications for their oral health at home. Consider planning a little more time for brushing, using different positions, and even finding adaptive toothbrushes and devices to assist in cleaning their teeth.

Do you think we should add a resource or information that is not included here?

Please use our feedback form to submit your suggestions.