healthy mouth = healthy child

Healthy MouthHealthy Child

Welcome!

The content on slides 3 – 16 was developed by the Nevada State Health Division Oral Health

Program

What is a Healthy Mouth?

• Clean• Good spacing• Pink healthy gums• No cavities

Germs in the Mouth

• Babies are not born with the germs that cause cavities• They get it from parents or caregivers• Children are less likely to have cavities if parents have healthy mouths

Sharing Germs

Is your mouth clean and healthy?

If not, you are giving your germs to your child by:• Hand to mouth kissing• Kissing on the lips

Cavities are Contagious

• Tasting/sharing food and drinks.

Parents need a clean healthy mouth too!

How do Cavities Happen?

• Germs (plaque) grow on teeth• Germs + Sugar foods and drinks = Acid• Acid + Teeth = Cavity

Prevent Cavities

• Eat healthy• Limit sugary foods and drinks• Clean teeth twice a day• Visit the dentist 2 times a year

What else can I do to prevent cavities?

• By age 1, use a cup to drink• Before bed, drink ONLY water after teeth are clean• Children should eat or drink at meals and snack time – not all the time

Brushing

• Start when you see the first tooth!• Clean the first tooth with a clean damp cloth or a small soft toothbrush• Once a day — every day!• Clean the gums, too!

Cleaning Teeth

• A grown up should brush a child’s teeth until the child can sign his first and last name (not print).

• Important to brush before bed time!

Toothbrush Care

• Rinse toothbrush.• Use your own toothbrush, no sharing• Replace every 3 months• After illness get a new one or sterilize it

Toothpaste

• Avoid too much toothpaste• Use a “pea” size amount• Use fluoride toothpaste after child is two years old or can spit

Lift the Lip

• Look for white spots or brown spots on the top four teeth• Look on the back of teeth – inside the mouth• Check once a month!

Check your Child’s Teeth

• Check for cavities everywhere—top and bottom!• See a dentist at least twice a year— more if needed.

Children Will Copy You…

• When you brush and check your child’s teeth, you are showing them good oral health is important.

Be a good role model!HEALTHY TEETH FOR A HEALTHY

HEAD START!!!

FAQ/Facts…

Tooth Brushing

• Use child brushes with soft, round bristles• Start cleaning gums at an early age with gauze or a washcloth• By age 2 or 3 begin teaching your child how to brush• Gentle, short, back and forth motion

• At age 3 can begin using fluoride toothpaste

Thumb Sucking

• Normal habit of many children• Can affect the position of the jaw and cause a malformed palate• If child continues until age 4, changes may remain permanent

Tooth Eruption

• Two bottom front teeth are first to erupt• By age 3, most children have 20 baby teeth• Between ages of 5 – 6, first permanent teeth will begin to erupt• Tooth eruption may vary

Tooth Decay

• Bacteria use sugar to manufacture acids that dissolve the teeth and cause infection (decay) in the tooth.• “Baby-Bottle” tooth decay• Children who go to bed with a bottle of milk• Teeth are constantly in contact with sugar

Tooth Loss

• When you should call your pediatric dentist?

• When a baby tooth is knocked out• When a permanent tooth is

knocked out• When a tooth is fractured or

chipped

Sealants• Molars and Premolars are

usually sealed• Should be applied as soon as

permanent teeth come in

Fluoride

• Helps strengthen teeth and prevents tooth decay

The Pediatric Dentist

• “First visit by first birthday”• Your child should visit the dentist when his/her first tooth comes in• This will establish a ‘dental home’ for the child

Regular Visits

• Twice per year• This varies for each child

Emergency Care

• Contact your pediatric dentist immediately• This is why establishing a dental home is so important!

Champagne Family Dentistry735 Sparks Blvd

Sparks, NV 89434775.359.3934