Everything you need to know to protect your family's smile
Start
This material is designed to be read in short modules. Each section takes less than 5 minutes. Take the time you need!
Why Baby Teeth Matter
Even though baby teeth will fall out, this stage will influence your child's adult dental health.
Did you know?
A 2021 study found that early childhood cavities affect 48% of all preschool-aged children. That’s almost half.
Source: Uribe SE, Innes N, Maldupa I. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2021;31(6):817-830.
Cavities in children can cause:
Nutritional problems.
Negative impacts on their growth and development.
Quality of life problems related to oral health, for the child and their family.
Poor school performance and school absenteeism.
Remember!
Cavities in baby teeth are a clear sign that your child could develop cavities in their permanent teeth later. When we take care of baby teeth early, we also help protect their permanent smile.
Childhood: the Best Time to Learn
Childhood is a key stage for learning and growth. It is when mental, emotional, and social development occurs, and children are especially open to learning new things and building healthy routines (WHO, 1996).
Research shows that many habits that shape overall health, such as brushing and healthy eating, are learned early in life.
Source: Ceyhan D et al. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2018;19(3):181-186.
Remember!
The "little bugs" in teeth are called Streptococcus mutans.
They love to eat sugary foods like candy, cookies, and juice!
Dental Care for Babies (0-3 Years)
When the First Tooth Appears
Key information The first tooth appears around 6 months. It can be as early as 4 months or as late as 9 months. Both situations are normal!
Teething sign A bluish swelling may appear where the tooth will emerge. This is normal and will disappear when the tooth comes through.
Normal Teething Symptoms
Normal during teething: irritability, drooling, wanting to bite, sucking, sleep disturbances, mild temperature increase, decreased appetite. Not normal teething symptoms: diarrhea, respiratory infection, or true fever. If your baby has these, see a doctor.
Cleaning Gums Before the First Tooth
How to do it: Wash your hands well. Wrap a clean, damp gauze around your clean finger and very gently clean your baby's gums and tongue. When: At least twice a day and after each feeding.
Brushing from the First Tooth
Official recommendation from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
Brush teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste starting with the first tooth
Amount of toothpaste should be the size of a grain of rice for children under 3 years
Toothpaste must contain 1,000 ppm fluoride(safe level for children under 6)
Always supervised by an adult
Avoid wetting the brush before applying toothpaste; this keeps foam to a minimum
No need to rinse with water after: the fluoride left on teeth strengthens them
First dentist visit: Before the first birthday or when the first tooth appears. Then every 6 months.
Dental Care Ages 3 to 6
The WHO recommends brushing with fluoride toothpaste as sufficient fluoride exposure is essential to prevent cavities.
Amount of toothpaste
Pea-sized amount
(for children ages 3 to 6)
Recommended fluoride
1,000 ppm
per WHO and ADA
Practical Brushing Tips
At least twice a day (morning and night) for two minutes
Always supervise young children while they brush
Replace the toothbrush every three months or when it starts to look worn
Use a soft-bristle brush with bright colors and fun designs
Play a favorite song while your child brushes to help them keep brushing for two full minutes
At night, help your child avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) after brushing
Tip!
A brightly colored sand timer can be very useful to help children visualize how long two minutes lasts.
Dental Care Ages 6 and Older
Smiles that keep improving!
A study found that 6-year-olds removed approximately 57% of plaque, while 12-year-olds removed approximately 82%.
Around age 6, children begin to lose their baby teeth, and their first permanent molars start to appear.
Time Matters
Children who brushed for more than 2.5 minutes reduced plaque by up to 82%! The time spent brushing makes a huge difference!
Key Recommendations for This Age
Brush teeth two to three times a day, essentially in the morning and at night.
Ideally supervised by an adult. Brushing supervision is recommended until the child is 10 years old.
Use fluoride toothpaste that is 1000 to 1500 ppm, per WHO recommendation.
Use dental floss daily.
What is plaque?
It is a mass containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth if we don't brush. It causes both tooth decay and gum disease.
Important note for parents!
For a child to learn to brush correctly, it needs to be repeated many times so that the movements become registered in the child's motor memory. Practice makes perfect!
Practical Guide: How to Brush Well
General Rules for All Children
Place fluoride toothpaste on the brush without wetting it.
Do everything possible to make your child spit out the toothpaste and not swallow it.
Place the appropriate amount for the child's age (grain of rice: 0-3 years; pea: 3 years and older).
No need to rinse with water after. The fluoride left on teeth strengthens them.
Adult brushes always
Adult supervises
Adult supervises
Can be independent
Brushing Steps (2 Minutes, 2 Times a Day)
30 sec bottom right
30 sec top right
30 sec bottom left
30 sec top left
Dental Floss
Cleaning between children's teeth is recommended. This is essential for good oral health for life.
Until ages 8-10: Parents should help their children with flossing. You can use dental floss, interdental brushes, or floss holders.
Source: Cingel TF. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(5):314.
Together we create smiles for a healthier and happier world!
Eng - CHE733 - Oral Health in Children _Microlearning_Parents_SPN
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Transcript
Children's Oral Health
Everything you need to know to protect your family's smile
Start
This material is designed to be read in short modules. Each section takes less than 5 minutes. Take the time you need!
Why Baby Teeth Matter
Even though baby teeth will fall out, this stage will influence your child's adult dental health.
Did you know?
A 2021 study found that early childhood cavities affect 48% of all preschool-aged children. That’s almost half.
Source: Uribe SE, Innes N, Maldupa I. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2021;31(6):817-830.
Cavities in children can cause:
Nutritional problems.
Negative impacts on their growth and development.
Quality of life problems related to oral health, for the child and their family.
Poor school performance and school absenteeism.
Remember!
Cavities in baby teeth are a clear sign that your child could develop cavities in their permanent teeth later. When we take care of baby teeth early, we also help protect their permanent smile.
Childhood: the Best Time to Learn
Childhood is a key stage for learning and growth. It is when mental, emotional, and social development occurs, and children are especially open to learning new things and building healthy routines (WHO, 1996). Research shows that many habits that shape overall health, such as brushing and healthy eating, are learned early in life.
Source: Ceyhan D et al. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2018;19(3):181-186.
Remember!
The "little bugs" in teeth are called Streptococcus mutans. They love to eat sugary foods like candy, cookies, and juice!
Dental Care for Babies (0-3 Years)
When the First Tooth Appears
Key information The first tooth appears around 6 months. It can be as early as 4 months or as late as 9 months. Both situations are normal!
Teething sign A bluish swelling may appear where the tooth will emerge. This is normal and will disappear when the tooth comes through.
Normal Teething Symptoms
Normal during teething: irritability, drooling, wanting to bite, sucking, sleep disturbances, mild temperature increase, decreased appetite. Not normal teething symptoms: diarrhea, respiratory infection, or true fever. If your baby has these, see a doctor.
Cleaning Gums Before the First Tooth
How to do it: Wash your hands well. Wrap a clean, damp gauze around your clean finger and very gently clean your baby's gums and tongue. When: At least twice a day and after each feeding.
Brushing from the First Tooth
Official recommendation from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
First dentist visit: Before the first birthday or when the first tooth appears. Then every 6 months.
Dental Care Ages 3 to 6
The WHO recommends brushing with fluoride toothpaste as sufficient fluoride exposure is essential to prevent cavities.
Amount of toothpaste
Pea-sized amount
(for children ages 3 to 6)
Recommended fluoride
1,000 ppm
per WHO and ADA
Practical Brushing Tips
Tip!
A brightly colored sand timer can be very useful to help children visualize how long two minutes lasts.
Dental Care Ages 6 and Older
Smiles that keep improving!
A study found that 6-year-olds removed approximately 57% of plaque, while 12-year-olds removed approximately 82%. Around age 6, children begin to lose their baby teeth, and their first permanent molars start to appear.
Time Matters
Children who brushed for more than 2.5 minutes reduced plaque by up to 82%! The time spent brushing makes a huge difference!
Key Recommendations for This Age
Brush teeth two to three times a day, essentially in the morning and at night.
Ideally supervised by an adult. Brushing supervision is recommended until the child is 10 years old.
Use fluoride toothpaste that is 1000 to 1500 ppm, per WHO recommendation.
Use dental floss daily.
What is plaque?
It is a mass containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth if we don't brush. It causes both tooth decay and gum disease.
Important note for parents!
For a child to learn to brush correctly, it needs to be repeated many times so that the movements become registered in the child's motor memory. Practice makes perfect!
Practical Guide: How to Brush Well
General Rules for All Children
Place fluoride toothpaste on the brush without wetting it.
Do everything possible to make your child spit out the toothpaste and not swallow it.
Place the appropriate amount for the child's age (grain of rice: 0-3 years; pea: 3 years and older).
No need to rinse with water after. The fluoride left on teeth strengthens them.
Quick Reference Chart by Age
Fluoride (ppm)
Toothpaste Amount
Age
Supervision
0 - 3 years 3 - 6 years 6 - 10 years 10+ years
Grain of rice Pea-sized Pea-sized Pea-sized
1,000 ppm 1,000 ppm 1,000-1,500 ppm 1,000-1,500 ppm
Adult brushes always Adult supervises Adult supervises Can be independent
Brushing Steps (2 Minutes, 2 Times a Day)
30 sec bottom right
30 sec top right
30 sec bottom left
30 sec top left
Dental Floss
Cleaning between children's teeth is recommended. This is essential for good oral health for life. Until ages 8-10: Parents should help their children with flossing. You can use dental floss, interdental brushes, or floss holders.
Source: Cingel TF. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020;151(5):314.
Together we create smiles for a healthier and happier world!
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