Support Services Handout Series
Number 1007 Student Health Information Sheet
Good Teeth for Your Child

Good teeth for your child depends on three factors:

1. Good Nutrition
2. Cleanliness
3. Regular Dental Care

1. Good Nutrition:

A child's first, or primary, teeth begin to develop before he or she is born. Thus, the foods an expectant mother eats during her pregnancy will provide the baby with the necessary building materials for strong, healthy teeth. Foods that are rich in protein (meat, fish, poultry and eggs), that are rich in calcium (milk and cheese), that are rich in Vitamin C (oranges, strawberries, cantalope and tomatoes), and that are rich in Vitamin D (fish oils and egg yolks) are essential not only during pregnancy but as a basis for your child's healthy eating as well. Your child should not eat too many soft, sugary foods, and it is important to limit snacking. It is the time that the teeth are exposed to sugary foods that causes the cavities. Also, remember that babies who constantly carry a bottle or who are put to bed with a bottle full of juice or milk may develop "nursing bottle cavities." Water is an excellent substitute and will not harm your child's teeth.

2. Cleanliness:

Even when we're in good health, bacteria are normally present in the mouth. Some of them are harmless, but others, in the presence of carbohydrates, form acids that dissolve the enamel covering of the teeth. These acids form rapidly; so, it is important to brush as soon after eating as possible. If this isn't possible, then rinsing with water is a good idea. By the age of two, your child should be carefully taught to brush his or her teeth at least twice a day. You should help your child brush, and you should check to be sure the teeth are clean. Having a small, soft, flat-bristled brush and your child's favorite tooth paste should help make the task easier. The D.C. Metropolitan area has fluoridated water, but if your family moves to an area where the water is not fluoridated, it is important to use fluoride tablets and/or fluoridated tooth paste and discuss direct fluoride applications with your dentist. Your child should be taught to rinse his or her tooth brush well with water after using it and to hang it up to dry in a clean, light place. If your child has a cold or other upper respiratory infection, it is wise to replace his or her toothbrush as soon as the infection is finished to prevent reinfection by the bacteria or viruses on the old toothbrush.

3. Regular Dental Care:

By the time your child is two years old, all of the primary teeth (ten on the upper jaw and ten on the lower jaw) should be in place. It is now time to start explaining about a trip to the dentist, and two good books on the subject are 1)"Taryn Goes to the Dentist" by Jill Krementz and 2) "The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist" by Sam and Jan Berenstain. Pretending and role playing a trip to the dentist can be great fun for a two year old, and it is a good way to take the fear out of the unknown. Making the appointment in the morning, so your child won't be tired or "cranky," and allowing plenty of time to arrive without rushing are important aspects to consider. Be "low key" and use positive expressions like "Shine you teeth," "Get a toothbrush" and "Ride in the chair." It is safe to expect that your child's first trip to the dentist should be simple, pleasant and short. After the check-up, the dentist will probably only need to clean the teeth which will help to keep both the teeth and the gums in good condition. However, if defects are found in the primary teeth, they should be treated promptly and thoroughly, because the primary teeth are very important in maintaining a space for the permanent teeth and allowing for proper bone growth.

When your child is about six, the first permanent teeth, the six year molars, will start to come in just behind the primary teeth. These teeth will do the chewing while the primary teeth are falling out and the permanent teeth are coming in. It is especially important to continue your child's twice yearly dental check-ups as the permanent teeth are erupting, because your dentist will want to examine the teeth to make certain they have no defects in the enamel or other problems that need treatment. Also the dentist will be watching for irregular placement of the teeth and crowding of the teeth. If your child's upper and lower teeth do not come together properly (malocclusion), chewing may be difficult, and if the teeth are out of line, tooth decay and gingivitis will be much more likely. Some of these conditions can be prevented by early dental intervention which will minimize the need for orthodontia (braces to straighten the teeth) or more serious dental care at a later time.

In Summary: for Your Child's Good Teeth

1. Eat the right foods during pregnancy and see that your child eats them also.

   Teach your child how to brush properly right after eating if possible with a clean, soft brush.

2. Take your child to the dentist at least twice a year starting from two years of age on.

Developed by: Jan Kemper and Brenda Thaxton

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