Oral Health Tips
Pregnant Women
Moms-to-be are prone to gum disease
- Continue to brush, floss & eat well.
- See a dentist while you’re pregnant.
- What your child eats can affect his or her dental health.
- You and your child should visit the dentist twice a year, or as recommended by your dentist. Parent’s teeth are important too.
- Watch out for Pregnancy Disease.
Infants
- Clean your infant’s gums.
- Take your infant to the dentist by age 1.
- Brush your infant’s baby teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Wean your infant from the bottle.
- Watch out for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, Signs of Teething and Excessive Pacifier Use.
| Upper Teeth | Lower Teeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Central Incisors | 8-12 months | Lower Teeth 6-10 months |
Toodlers
- Floss teeth as soon as they grow in and begin to touch each other.
- If your child eats sweets, chips, crackers or juice, brush their teeth or rinse their teeth with water.
- What your child eats can affect his/her dental health
- Give healthy snacks like, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and yogurt. Avoid sweet and sticky drinks and food that can cause cavities
| Upper Teeth | Lower Teeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral Incisors | 9-13 months | 10-16 months |
| Fist Molars | 3-19 months | 14-18 months |
| Cuspids (Canines) | 6-22 months | 17-23 months |
Preschool
- An adult needs to help children brush until around age 7.
- Ask your child’s doctor or dentist about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth. This is another great way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities
| Upper Teeth | Lower Teeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Second Molars | 25-33 months | 23-31 months |