Skip to main content
Print
Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles

Icon for Resources to Make You Smile.Resources to Make You Smile! is a monthly newsletter featuring information and tools to promote good oral health. To sign up, select the button below, enter your email address, choose “Oral Health,” and select "Subscribe.”

Subscribe to the Newsletter

This series of handouts for pregnant women and parents of infants and young children provides simple tips on oral health issues. Head Start staff are encouraged to share the handouts with families to promote good oral health.

Brushing Your Child's Teeth

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay (cavities). Learn when to begin brushing a child’s teeth and how often.

Helping Children Stop Using a Pacifier

Long term use of pacifiers can affect your child’s bite and the growth of the jaws and bones that support their teeth. If your child shows no interest in giving up their pacifier by 18 months, they may need help to stop.

Understanding Why Baby Teeth Are Important

Baby (primary) teeth are a child’s first set of teeth and by age 2½ to 3 years old, all 20 baby teeth will have come into the mouth. Taking care of a child’s baby teeth is important for their overall health and development.

Getting Fluoride for Your Child

There are several important ways to make teeth strong and prevent tooth decay. These include drinking tap (faucet) water with fluoride, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having a health professional apply fluoride varnish.