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As a parent, you have a big role to play in keeping your child’s teeth healthy and clean. You can help prevent cavities. Prevention starts at home, with good eating habits and daily cleaning of the teeth.

This section has important information on how to properly care for primary teeth and new permanent teeth.

Here’s a great story about some large companies giving back to their communities – and it even appears as though there is some sincerity behind their actions.

Carissa Wyant, of the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reported that several Minnesota companies have recently partnered with the Minnesota Dental Association to provide free dental care to needy kids. The “Give Kids a Smile” program, as it is known, is a partnership between HealthPartners, Patterson Dental, 3M’s Espe Dental Products division and the Minnesota Dental Association Foundation.

Healthy teeth are important to your child’s overall health. From the time your child is born, there are things you can do to promote healthy teeth. For babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby’s toothbrush. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains.

There are 9 Golden Rules to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

1.Schedule your child’s first trip to the dentist by the time he or she is one year old.

2.Use a child size toothbrush with soft bristles. Replace the toothbrush every three months

3.Select a fluoride toothpaste and use a pea-sized amount on the toothbrush after every meal and before bed. If the child swallows the toothpaste this small amount should not hurt him

4.Once all primary teeth are in, begin flossing your child’s teeth. When the child is ready, teach him or her to floss before brushing.

5. Eat foods that have vitamins and minerals.

6. Don’t eat sweet or starchy foods between meals.

7. After every meal, brush your teeth. (Your brush downwards on upper teeth, upwards on lower teeth, back and forth on chewing surfaces.

8. Use trusted dental aids.

9. Visit your dental Surgeon at least twice a year.

What can damage my child’s teeth?

Many children fall over and bump their teeth accidentally. This is usually unavoidable and you should take them to the nearest dentist or Accident and Emergency department for treatment.

However, tooth decay (dental caries) and dental erosion are two common causes of damage to children’s teeth that can be avoided.

Treatment

Regular trips to the dentist and proper tooth brushing are the most important parts of looking after your children’s teeth.

Other treatments you may come across include:

Dental X-rays. These are used to show the development of teeth that are still hidden inside the mouth, to check for cracks in the teeth, and to make sure they are properly lined up.

Fissure sealants. The biting edge of your teeth, especially your back teeth (molars), have a very uneven surface. It is easy for tiny amounts of food to get trapped in the tiny dents or fissures, and if you do not brush them thoroughly, bacteria can build up and start to decay the tooth. Your dentist may recommend that some of your teeth should be given a coating to seal or close up the fissures, to prevent this. It is a quick and painless procedure, similar to applying a coat of varnish, and may sometimes be done as part of your routine dental check up.