Let’s Talk: Oral Health for Kids California Department of Education | The Children’s Partnership September 2018 Why Oral Health Matters Oral health problems can make it Poor oral health leads to tooth hard for children to concentrate in decay, causing pain, infection, and school, leading to low grades or even tooth loss. missed school days. The pain and discomfort of tooth Taking care of your child’s mouth decay make it hard for children to eat and teeth will help them become a and sleep well. healthy adult. Gum disease affects a child’s blood sugar level and contributes to diabetes. Make sure your child: Brushes his or her teeth Visits the dentist twice a for two minutes, two times year a day You can help prevent tooth decay! Did you know? Tooth decay is the most common children’s chronic disease in the U.S. Black, Latino, and American Indian/Alaska-Native children are much more likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease than White children. Start Early Clean your baby’s gums by gently wiping them with a soft clean cloth. Once your child has at least two teeth next to one another, teach the Visit the dentist once their first tooth basics of flossing. appears or by their first birthday Children usually need help flossing – whichever comes first. they are 8-10 years old.
Let’s Talk: Oral Health for Kids California Department of Education | The Children’s Partnership September 2018 Why Oral Health Matters Oral health problems can make it hard for children to concentrate in school, leading to low grades or even missed school days. Taking care of your child’s mouth and teeth will help them become a healthy adult. Poor oral health leads to tooth decay, causing pain, infection, and tooth loss. The pain and discomfort of tooth decay make it hard for children to eat and sleep well. Gum disease affects a child’s blood sugar level and contributes to diabetes. Make sure your child: Brushes his or her teeth for two minutes, two times a day Visits the dentist twice a year You can help prevent tooth decay! Did you know? Tooth decay is the most common children’s chronic disease in the U.S. Black, Latino, and American Indian/Alaska-Native children are much more likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease than White children. Start Early Clean your baby’s gums by gently wiping them with a soft clean cloth. Visit the dentist once their first tooth appears or by their first birthday – whichever comes first. Once your child has at least two teeth next to one another, teach the basics of flossing. Children usually need help flossing they are 8-10 years old.
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