Healthy Teeth, Healthy Drinks

Brushing Healthy TeethBrushing is one of the most important ways you can keep your child’s teeth healthy. Brushing your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice each day will help prevent tooth decay (cavities). Begin brushing as soon as your child’s first tooth begins to show, and make sure to lead by example as your child grows.Tips for brushing your child’s teeth:• Brush your child’s teeth after breakfast and before bed.• Use a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste.• For children under age 3, use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste. For children ages 3 to 6, use fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea.• Young children like to do things by themselves. It’s good to let children brush their teeth while an adult watches, but children under age 7 or 8 may need more support and guidance to brush their teeth well. It is often recommended that an adult brush the young child’s teeth also.• Find a position where your child is comfortable and you can see your child’s teeth while you brush. For example, sit with your baby or young child on your lap facing you, or stand behind your child in front of the mirror.• Gently brush your child’s teeth using small circles. Brush all surfaces of the teeth, including the insides and outsides.• After brushing, have your child spit out the remaining toothpaste but not rinse. The small amount of toothpaste that stays in your child’s mouth is good for the teeth.• If you are having trouble brushing your child’s teeth, use a timer, a counting game, or a song while brushing. You can also ask the staff at your child’s dental clinic for help.Choosing Healthy DrinksChoose drinks that will help keep your child’s teeth healthy also! Many drinks have natural or added sugar. Children who are often given sugary drinks are more likely to have tooth decay (cavities), and you might not even know your child’s drinks contains sugar! Water and milk are the best drinks for your child. Tips for choosing healthy drinks for your child:•Breast milk is best. Breastfeed your child for 6 months, or longer, if possible.• Give your child plain water with fluoride. Water from the tap (faucet) is safe and cheap.• Give your child milk at scheduled meal and snack times.•It is best not to put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup. If you do, the bottle or sippy cup should contain only water, nothing else.• Give your child cut-up or whole fruit instead of fruit juice.• If you give your child juice, wait until he is 6 months old. Offer your child no more than 4 to 6 ounces of 100-percent fruit juice each day. Serve juice in a cup.For more helpful hints on children's dental health, visit the Head Start Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles website.The article was adapted from information published in a handout prepared by the National Center on Health under cooperative agreement #9OHC0005 for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start