Dental care for kids

This image is a collage of different people. The upper left is of an asian chinese female walking with her walking aid recovering and helped by her daughter The second is a shot of a young couple hiking through the mountains during a cold and fresh day. Both having a backpack and bottle of water while having an outdoor adventure. The bottom image is a portrait of a mother with her little daughter. They are sitting on the sofa at home, looking at camera.

Did you know tooth decay can occur as soon as your child’s tooth appears? Helping kids maintain good dental health is incredibly important to their developmental growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities that go untreated in young children can lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health also tend to miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child visit the dentist for a checkup within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by their first birthday and then visit the dentist every six months. Teaching your children to brush and floss regularly early on will encourage them to develop good habits that will help them maintain good oral and overall health throughout their lifetime.

Pediatric dental care timeline

Babies

  • Parents should begin brushing baby teeth as soon as they start to pop through the gums

  • Babies should have their first dental appointment by their first birthday

Preschoolers

  • Preschoolers typically start to want to brush by themselves, but they still need help to ensure they’re brushing correctly

  • Teaching proper brushing techniques is good preparation for the elementary years when children will start brushing on their own

  • Getting kids excited about brushing isn’t always easy, but letting them pick their toothbrush and a fun toothpaste can help

Elementary

  • At this age, kids often have busy schedules that can lead to poor dental hygiene due to rushing through brushings or failing to brush.

  • Use a soft-bristled brush with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and floss once daily.

  • Limit sugary drinks and foods and encourage your child to drink water to increase saliva production, which helps protect against cavities and decay. Hard snacks like carrots and apples also help to clean teeth.

  • Dental sealants can also help stop cavities before they start. They can be applied after molars come into the mouth—around age 6 for first molars and age 12 for second molars.

Teens

  • For teenagers, even busier schedules can be problematic for dental health. Buy a few disposable or travel toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to stash in backpacks and vehicles.

  • Highlight the importance of a clean smile and fresh breath for a positive self-image.

It’s never too early to begin a lifetime of good dental health.

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