Oral Health Tips for Children and Babies

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Baby Teeth Matter: Bring your child in for their first dental screening by age one. Tooth decay can be stopped if caught early. Your dentist or doctor can provide tips on how to keep your child’s mouth healthy.

Brush Two-times-Two: Once your baby’s teeth appear, clean them with a soft toothbrush and rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Help your child brush their teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day, including right before bedtime. When the sides of teeth touch together, clean between the teeth using a tiny brush or floss. This removes food and germs that brushing can’t reach.

Paint on Protection: Ask your dentist or physician about fluoride varnish. Either can apply fluoride varnish quickly and effectively. It can help prevent and heal early tooth decay for children at risk for dental cavities.

Snack Smart: Choose teeth-healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, white milk, and cheese. Avoid cavity-causing snacks like juice, candies, fruit snacks, and crackers.

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Choose Water: When your child is thirsty, offer plain tap water. Juice, soft drinks, and chocolate milk have a lot of added sugar, which causes cavities.

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