These resource materials can help families learn about oral health for pregnant people, infants and young children. Topics include dental visits, fluoride, nutrition, oral health care, oral hygiene, and safety and emergency first aid.

Cook's Corner: Recipes for Healthy Snacks

Find simple recipes for healthy snacks that young children can make in Head Start programs or at home with their families. Recipes appeared in Brush Up on Oral Health issues published between 2012 and 2017.

Getting to Know Me: Information for Your Dental Office While You Are Pregnant

Pregnant people can fill out this form before a dental appointment to give dental office staff important information about themselves.

Getting to Know Me: Information for Your Child’s Dental Office

Parents can use this form to share information about their child with dental office staff to help them meet the child’s needs. Find questions about things that might bother the child about visiting the dentist.

Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles

This series of handouts for pregnant people and parents of infants and young children provides simple tips on oral health issues. Early Head Start and Head Start health staff are encouraged to share the handouts with families to promote good oral health. The handouts are available in English and Spanish.

A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby

Share this brochure with Head Start parents to promote oral health in young children. Topics include the importance of primary teeth, visiting the dentist by age 1, and the roles of fluoride and oral hygiene in preventing tooth decay. It includes tips for checking and cleaning teeth and information on feeding. Available in a version for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

A Healthy Smile for Your Baby: Tips to Keep Your Baby Healthy

Early Head Start staff can use this brochure to teach expecting and new parents about the importance of oral care and hygiene for infants. It includes tips for taking care of an infant's gums and teeth, feeding their infant healthy foods, and getting a dental checkup by age 1. Parents can learn to keep their own mouths healthy and find resources for finding a dentist.

A Healthy Smile for Your Young Child: Tips to Keep Your Child Healthy

Head Start staff can use this brochure to teach parents and caregivers the importance of oral care and hygiene during early childhood. It includes tips for brushing children's teeth, feeding their children healthy foods, and getting dental checkups and treatment. Parents can learn to keep their own mouths healthy and find resources for finding a dentist.

Oral Health: Tips for Families

Help parents understand the importance of good oral health habits for children. This tip sheet provides tips for brushing children's teeth, teaching children how to brush, eating healthy snacks, avoiding sugary drinks and foods, and visiting the dentist.

Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water

Explore this book to help parents and early childhood education staff talk with young children about making healthy drink choices. Discover a fun story, a counting and tracing page, a coloring page, and a pictograph showing the amount of sugar in popular drinks.

Protecting Your Child's Teeth: Fluoride Varnish

This brochure for parents provides information about the benefits of fluoride varnish for protecting primary teeth from decay. Topics include what fluoride varnish is and why it is recommended for infants and children. Also, find information on the safety of fluoride varnish, how it is applied, follow-up care, how long varnish and its benefits last, and costs. Also, available in Arabic.

Questions to Ask When Looking for a Dental Office

Finding a dental office that is best for you and your child can be hard. Here are some questions that you can ask a dental office before you decide to make an appointment.

Two Healthy Smiles: Tips to Keep You and Your Baby Healthy

Oral care and hygiene in pregnant people is critical. Head Start staff can highlight the importance of brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods, and getting dental checkups and treatment. Other topics include the impact of hormonal changes during pregnancy on gum health, caring for an infant's gums and teeth, and finding a dentist.

Ways to Keep Your Baby Happy

Help children learn to brush their teeth using this illustrated guide. It was developed especially for parents in the Pacific Islands and other rural settings. It helps teach parents how to recognize tooth decay.

Last Updated: September 9, 2024