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.
Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles
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.”
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.
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.
Using Silver Diamine Fluoride on Children's Teeth
This handout for parents describes silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and how it can be used to prevent and treat tooth decay. It also describes the benefits of using SDF on young children.
Making Toothbrushing Part of Your Child's Bedtime Routine
A regular bedtime routine helps your child know what to expect at the end of the day. Brushing your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste is an important part of the routine.
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.
Getting Oral Health Treatment Is Important!
If your child’s dentist finds tooth decay and recommends a follow-up dental visit for treatment, it’s important for your child to get care. Receiving follow-up treatment is key to keeping your child healthy.
Visiting the Dentist by Age 1
A dental visit by age 1 is key for building a lifetime of good oral health. Tooth decay can be prevented or managed with early dental visits and with good oral hygiene.
Encouraging Your Child to Drink Water
Giving children water with fluoride helps keep their teeth healthy. Learn about fun and easy ways to encourage children to drink water with fluoride.
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 Oral Health Care While You Are Pregnant
It’s important for women to get oral health care during pregnancy. Getting oral health care, including cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and pain medication, is safe during pregnancy.
Taking Care of Your Oral Health When You Are Pregnant
It is important for pregnant women to take care of their oral health. Practicing good oral hygiene, eating healthy foods, and getting oral health care help keep a woman’s mouth and teeth healthy during pregnancy.