Healthy teeth are important to your child's overall health. From the time your child is born, there are things you can do to promote healthy teeth. For babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby's toothbrush. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains.
For all children, you should
- Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste
- Provide healthy foods and limit sweet snacks and drinks
- Provide low-fat milk and dairy products high in calcium
- Schedule regular dental check-ups
Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Dental Hygiene: How to Care for Your Child's Teeth(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/kidshealthy/healthy-choice/227.printerview.html
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Healthy Mouth for Your Baby
(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/AHealthyMouthforYourBaby.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/OralHealthInformation/Spanish/UnaBocaSaludableParaSuBebe -
Taking Care of Your Teeth(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/teeth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/cuerpo/teeth2_esp.html
- How to Care for Your Baby's Teeth(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/kidshealthy/healthy-choice/834.printerview.html
- Kids in Medicaid Have More Tooth Decay(09/24/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69648.html
- Gummy Bears Join Cavity Fight(07/24/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_67344.html
- Dental X-Ray Use and Safety(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/xray.asp
- X-Rays for Children(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.31888/pr.3.html
- Enamel Microabrasion(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/microabrasion.asp
- Endodontic Treatment in Children(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.35025/t.35023/pr.3.html
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon(American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) - http://www.aaoms.org/the_oms.php
- Sedation Techniques(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.35850/pr.3.html
- Space Maintenance(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/space.asp
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Brush Up on Healthy Teeth(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/brushup.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/dental/brushup-quiz.htm
- Cleaning Your Child's Mouth and Teeth(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.32480/pr.3.html
- Fluoride and Water(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/teeth/fluoride.html
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Mouthguards(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/mouthguards_faq.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/patient/mouthgard_important.pdf
- Oral Health: Preventing Cavities, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/doh.htm
- Regular Dental Visits(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/regdent.asp
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Seal Out Tooth Decay(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/SealOutToothDecay.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/OralHealthInformation/Spanish/SelleDientesContraCariesDental
- Are You Feeding Your Kids Tooth-Friendly Foods?(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.31896/pr.3.html
- Diet and Snacking(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/snacking.asp
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Oral Health and Calcium(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/oral_health_calcium.cfm
- Oral Health: Nutrition - Children(Academy of General Dentistry) - http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=316&Topic=N
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Thumbsucking(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/thumbsucking.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/topics/thumbsucking.asp
- Calming the Anxious Child(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/calming.asp
- Can Pacifiers and Baby Bottles Ruin My Baby’s Teeth?(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.31895/pr.3.html
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Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver's Guide(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DevelopmentalDisabilities/DentalCareEveryDay.htm
- Dental Care for Special Child(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/specialcare.asp
- From Baby Bottle to Cup: Choose Training Cups Carefully, Use Them Temporarily(American Dental Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/jada/patient/patient_36.pdf
- Imported Toothpaste(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/toothpaste.html
- Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/dental/DE00001/METHOD=print
- Parent's Guide to Tooth Eruption(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.31880/pr.3.html
- Pediatric Dentist(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/peddentist.asp
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Teething Tots(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/common/teething.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/teething_esp.html
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Tooth Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/tooth_injury.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/tooth_injury_esp.html
- Toothache: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/first-aid-toothache/FA00013/METHOD=print
- Your Child's Age 1 Dental Visit(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.31887/pr.3.html
- Your Infant's Mouth(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.32478/pr.3.html
- Permanent Teeth Numbering and Mounting Chart(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/permanent_number.asp
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Tooth Eruption Charts(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tooth_eruption.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/topics/eruption.asp
- ADA Dental Minute(American Dental Association) - Requires media player - http://www.ada.org/public/media/videos/minute/index.asp
- ADA: Animations & Games(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/games/index.asp
- Atlas of the Body: The Teeth(American Medical Association) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZTD0TCGJC&sub_cat=525
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Mouth and Teeth(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/mouth_teeth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/mouth_teeth_esp.html
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Finding Low-Cost Dental Care(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/PopularPublications/FindingLowCostDentalCare/
- Tips on Finding Preventive Care for Children's Oral Health(Academy of General Dentistry) - http://www.agd.org/support/articles/?ArtID=1194
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pit and Fissure Sealants(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Pit+and+Fissure+Sealants%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Child Dental Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/term=dental+%5BCONDITION%5D+AND+child+%5BAGE-GROUP%5D
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Is systemic fluoride supplementation for dental caries prevention in children... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18780642&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Fluoride oral retention after professional topical application in children with... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18647506&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Is formocresol obsolete? A fresh look at the evidence concerning... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18615990&tool=MedlinePlus
- Child Dental Health -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=dental+care+for+children[majr]+OR+((dental+caries[majr]+OR+tooth+injuries[majr])+AND+(child[mh]+OR+infant[mh]+OR+adolescent[mh]+NOT+aged[mh]))+AND+english[la]+AND+(guideline[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+review[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+NOT+letter[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
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Glossary of Dental Terms(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/resources/glossary.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/glossary.asp
- Find a Dentist: ADA Member Directory(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/disclaimer.asp
- Find a Pediatric Dentist(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/finddentist/
- Oral Health Data Systems: My Water's Fluoride(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - http://www.aapd.org/
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons - http://www.aaoms.org/
- American Dental Association - http://www.ada.org/
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National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/
- Managed Dental Care Plans(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/mancare.asp
- FASTATS: Oral and Dental Health(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/dental.htm
- National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS)(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/nohss/
- Banishing Bad Breath(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/bad_breath.html
- Fun for Kids(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.35080/t.35080/pr.3.html
- Going to the Dentist(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/people/go_dentist.html
- How Does Fluoride Work?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/fluoride.html
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Milk Matters with Buddy Brush(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - Large PDF file - Coloring book - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/kids/upload/coloringbook0115.pdf
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Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/OralHealthInformation/ChildrensOralHealth/SnackSmartforHealthyTeeth
Also available in Spanish http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/B89E20F7-B405-4522-90FF-094957EE3345/0/sanas.pdf
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Taking Care of Your Teeth(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/teeth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/cuerpo/teeth2_esp.html
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What's Spit?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/yucky/spit.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/preguntas/spit_esp.html
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Your Teeth(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/teeth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/cuerpo/teeth_esp.html
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Oral Piercing: Frequently Asked Questions(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/piercing_faq.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/faq/piercing_faq.asp
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Taking Care of Your Teeth(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/teeth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/teeth_esp.html
- To My Teenage Patients(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) - http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/teenage.asp
- What Causes Bad Breath?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/halitosis.html
- Dental Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dentalhealth.html
- Gum Disease - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gumdisease.html
- Orthodontia - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/orthodontia.html
- Children and Teenagers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childrenandteenagers.html
- Mouth and Teeth - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mouthandteeth.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Child Dental Health is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/
Child Dental Health - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/childdentalhealth.html