Help your child maintain good dental health

   

Tooth decay (dental caries) affects children in the United States, more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that can lead to problems; such as eating, talking, play and learn.

The good news is that tooth decay and other oral diseases that can affect children can be avoided. The combination of the sealing grooves and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay among school-age children.

Here are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child:

Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals and avoid frequent snacking between meals.Protect your child's teeth with fluoride. Use a fluoride toothpaste. If your child is under 7 years of age, put only an amount of size of a pea on their brush teeth. If your drinking water is not fluoridated, talk to a doctor or dentist in the best way to protect your child's teeth.Talk to the dentist for your child's dental sealants. They protect the teeth from decay.If you are pregnant, get prenatal care and eat a healthy diet. The diet should include folic acid to prevent defects of the brain and spinal cord and eventually cleft lip/palate.

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