Ways Families Can Support Dental Health

Learn how you can support dental health throughout early childhood. Caring for children’s teeth is important for their dental health and overall health and wellbeing — and it’s important to build healthy habits early! Parents can find these tips in their Sparkler mobile apps — and providers can find them in the Library of tips and share them with parents/caregivers from there.

Baby Teeth

Because baby teeth are the blueprint for permanent teeth, caring for them is important. As soon as baby is born, parents/caregivers can start to build healthy practices. Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft washcloth after feedings. Remember not to put babies to bed with a bottle filled with milk or any other sugary beverage.

Caring for baby teeth will protect your baby’s emerging teeth from decay, promote healthy gum development, and create early habits that encourage proper dental care as teeth grow. In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday.

Learn how to brush your baby’s teeth here: Tips for Cleaning Baby Gums & Brushing a Baby’s Teeth
Learn more about what to expect at their first visit by visiting: What to Expect During the Visit

Teething

Teething — when teeth start to grow in — is a significant milestone in a baby’s development. For most children, teething starts between 4 and 7 months. It can be challenging for both parents and babies!

For tips on how to handle this stage, visit this resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Track your little one’s smile milestones with this baby teeth eruption chart from the American Dental Association.

Is your child’s thumb sucking habit sticking around? Learn when to let it be and when to step in to keep their smile on track from this American Dental Association guide.

Building Independence with Toddlers

As children grow into toddlers and beyond, they are ready to take more responsibility and become more actively involved in their own dental health. Here are some strategies to try to create a strong and healthy routine:

Create a fun routine by singing a 2-minute toothbrushing song (for example, try “Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth” to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”). Here’s a playlist from the American Dental Association.
Download a colorful brushing chart. Children can place stickers or draw stars for every successful morning and evening brushing. Here’s one you can print from the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership.

Building a Brushing Routine

Creating a calm and consistent bedtime routine can help families promote healthy habits. The “Brush, Book, Bed” method — a bedtime routine of brushing teeth, followed by a story, and then bedtime — a simple yet effective framework, recommended by pediatricians. Here’s more from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to structure children’s nighttime routines.

Brushing as Children Grow

As children grow, make sure that they’re continuing to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each.

This video from the American Dental Association has handy tips for parents:

Set a 2-minute timer
Listen to a 2-minute song
Make a reward chart and give your child a sticker for every successful brush

Here’s a video from Sesame Street to help your child prepare for an upcoming dental visit.

Dental Health and Overall Health Are Linked

Did you know that nutrition has an impact on children’s oral health? Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food and speak clearly. The American Dental Association recommends eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins — and avoiding fruit juices and sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. Learn more from the ADA here.

Be a Tooth Model for Your Child

Parents/caregivers can help children learn healthy oral health habits by modeling them.

Even starting in pregnancy, this is important. If you’re expecting or planning to be, make sure you’ve visited a dentist in the last 6 months.

Sparkler collaborated with Connecticut’s Dental Health Partnership to create a lineup of resources for families in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month this February. If you’re a Connecticut family with HUSKY health insurance, there are free resources available to you to help keep your child’s teeth healthy. If you need help finding a dentist, making an appointment or getting to your appointment, call: 855-CT-DENTAL (855) 283-3682, M-F 8am – 5pm.