Tips and Prevention

How Can I Help My Child Prevent Dental Problems?
It’s much better to prevent childhood dental problems now than to treat them in the future. Luckily, it’s easy to help your child learn good habits for healthy teeth.

Watch What You Drink!
Cavities Occur when frequent exposure to sugar causes bacteria (plaque) on the teeth to produce acid. Most kids’ drinks are full of sugar—even natural juices! One fun drink a day is fine—after that, stick with white milk or water.

Brush Away the Plaque!
Brush in the morning for good breath and right before bedtime to remove the bacteria. Focus the brush right where the teeth and gums come together, and floss between any teeth that touch.

Visit the Dentist Twice a Year!
A professional cleaning can make your teeth whiter by removing ugly stains, and the dental team can coach your child on how to best clean their own teeth. And a dentist can find cavities or other problems while they are still small and easy to fix.

Did You Know?

• The first permanent teeth come in at 5-7 years of age and are usually the lower front teeth or the back molars, behind all the baby teeth. The last baby tooth often does not fall out until 10-12 years of age.
• Baby teeth often have space between them—and this helps keep them clean.
• Cavities in baby teeth can hurt, and hurting teeth have been shown to decrease a child’s performance in school.
• While most types of crooked teeth can be straightened after all the permanent teeth have come in, sometimes earlier treatment is best.