Dental Wellness
How can I help my child keep a healthy smile?
- As parent, set an example by taking good care of your own teeth.
- Before your child’s teeth start to appear in the mouth, begin to massage the teeth and gums with your finger or a warm, wet washcloth or a small gauze pad.
- When the first baby teeth appear, floss and brush your child’s teeth until he is old enough to do this himself.
- Feed your child a balanced diet and offer healthy snacks.
- Ask your dentist about fluoride and other treatments that prevent cavities.
- Make sure your child has regular dental care throughout his or her development.
Learn more about caring for your teeth:
Preventive Care
- Baby Teeth: How to keep them healthy and bright - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Baby Teeth: How to keep them healthy and bright - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Preventing tooth decay with fluoride treatments - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Preventing tooth decay with fluoride treatments - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Reduce childhood tooth decay with sealants - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Reduce childhood tooth decay with sealants - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Tips for good dental health - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Tips for good dental health - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Your complete guide to keeping your teeth healthy - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Your complete guide to keeping your teeth healthy - English/Portuguese (pdf)
Dental care for specific health conditions
- Asthma and dental health - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Asthma and dental health - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Brushing for two: Caring for your mouth during pregnancy - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Brushing for two: Caring for your mouth during pregnancy - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- How to care for your mouth when you have diabetes - English/Spanish (pdf)
- How to care for your mouth when you have diabetes - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Oral issues with cancer treatments - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Oral issues with cancer treatments - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Oral issues with HIV/AIDS - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Oral issues with HIV/AIDS - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Side - Effects: Is your medication causing cavities? - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Side - Effects: Is your medication causing cavities? - English/Portuguese (pdf)
Dental Emergencies
- What to do in a dental - Emergency - English/Spanish (pdf)
- What to do in a dental - Emergency - English/Portuguese (pdf)
- Your dental home: Avoid using the - Emergency room for dental care - English/Spanish (pdf)
- Your dental home: Avoid using the - Emergency room for dental care - English/Portuguese (pdf)