Baby teeth are important!
Parents'/caregivers' oral health affects child's overall health.
Parents/caregivers should obtain regular dental checkup and get treatment if necessary.
Schedule child's first dental appointment by age one.
Use of fluorides, including tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, is the most effective way to prevent tooth decay.
Oral Health and Hygiene
Encourage parents/caregivers to maintain good oral health and get treatment, if necessary, to reduce spread of bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
Encourage parents/caregivers to avoid sharing with their child things that have been in their mouths.
Discuss parent's/caregiver's continued responsibility to help children under age eight to brush their teeth.
Encourage parents/caregivers to consider dental sealants for primary and first permanent molars.
Oral Development
Emphasize importance of baby teeth for chewing, speaking, jaw development and self-esteem.
Fluoride Adequacy
Re-evaluate fluoride status in residential water supply.
Review sources of fluoride.
Review need for topical or other fluorides.
Oral Habits
Discuss consequences of digit sucking and prolonged non-nutritive sucking (e.g. pacifier) and begin professional intervention if necessary.
Diet and Nutrition
Review and encourage healthy diet.
Remind parents/caregivers about limiting the frequency of exposures to sugar.
Review snacking choices.
Emphasize that child should be completely weaned from bottle and drinking exclusively from a cup.
Injury Prevention
Emphasize use of properly secured car seat.
Have emergency numbers handy.
Encourage safety in play activities including helmets on bikes and mouth guards in sports.
Remind caregivers to keep emergency numbers handy.
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