© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 20111

Healthy Smiles: Oral Health of

Young Children

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Your Name Your Agency Date

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Training Objectives Know why good oral health for

infants and young children is important

Identify ways to improve children’s oral health

Be able to promote oral health in the classroom for all children, including children with special health care needs

Why is oral health important?

The health of the mouth affects the overall health of the body.

Early childhood caries is the most common infectious disease affecting young children in the United States.

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Tooth decay can cause: Increased risks of caries in permanent teeth Increased hospitalizations and emergency room

visits Increased expenditures on dental health care Insufficient physical development (from

dehydration and under-nutrition associated with chronic mouth pain)

Loss of school days Diminished capacity to learn Lowered self-confidence and self-image

(AAPD, 2010c)

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When Do Teeth Develop?

Primary teeth (“baby teeth”): in utero 1st tooth: 5-7 months All 20 primary teeth: 2-3 yrs Permanent teeth: 5-6 yrs Last primary molar:12-14 yrs

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Teething1. When does teething begin?

2. How can you tell if an infant is teething?

Before the first tooth erupts

• Gums become red, swollen and tender.

• The infant is fussy, has excess saliva, and wants to chew on something semi-firm.

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TRUE OR FALSE?

Since the primary teeth get replaced by permanent teeth, it is not important to take care of the primary teeth.

FALSE!

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Caring for Primary Teeth

Tooth Decay is common! Baby teeth allow children to:

Chew properly Develop speech Maintain space for permanent

teeth Develop a healthy smile

Key Prevention Strategies

1. Cleaning Teeth

2. Fluoride

3. Nutrition

4. Dental Visits

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1. Cleaning Teeth Child care providers can help improve children’s oral

health by setting aside time to brush teeth in the classroom (with children seated on the floor or at tables or taking turns near a sink).

A small amount of toothpaste should be distributed to each child on wax paper or in paper cups to prevent cross-contamination (University of Iowa, 2004).

Brushing together provides an opportunity for children to model behavior of teachers and other children, and allows staff to supervise.

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Age-Appropriate CleaningCleaning Teeth and Gums of Infants and Children

Infants Caregivers should wipe gums with a clean, damp cloth

Before Age 2 Caregivers should brush for the child

At about age 3 Children should begin to learn to brush their own teeth

By age 4 Children should brush their own teeth

At least until age 6 Caregivers should continue to ensure that teeth are thoroughly cleaned

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Proper Care of Toothbrushes Each child's toothbrush should be clearly

marked with his or her name. Toothbrushes may not be shared. Toothbrushes should be air-dried and stored

with bristles up so they do not touch or drip on one another.

If a toothbrush becomes contaminated through contact with another brush or child, it should be thrown away.

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2. Fluoride Fluoride helps protect the teeth from harmful bacteria that

can cause cavities. Fluoride can also help reverse tooth decay that has

already begun, although only in the early stages. A child can receive fluoride in two ways, systemically or

topically. Children receive fluoride systemically by

drinking fluoridated water or chewing fluoride tablets.

Children receive fluoride topically when Includes fluoridated water washes over the teeth, fluoride by when using toothpastes and mouthwashes, and during fluoride treatments applied by a dental professional.

Photo courtesy of the Oregon Oral Health Program

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3. Nutrition Provide a healthy, balanced diet consisting

of a variety of foods. Visit www.choosemyplate.gov for tips and

ideas. Prior to age 5-6, a diet rich in calcium (dairy

products) is especially important to strengthen permanent teeth while they are forming, and to keep the gums and mouth healthy as they emerge.

Nutrition (continued) Foods and drinks containing sugars are the most

harmful. All sugars promote tooth decay, even the sugars

and starches in foods that are essential to a healthy diet.

The longer sugars remain in contact with the teeth and gums, the greater the risk for decay.

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Nutrition (continued) “Baby-Bottle Decay” can result from the long-

term exposure to sugar that occurs when infants given a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid as a pacifier or comforter at bedtime.

A small amount of 100% fruit juice (4 oz.) should only be allowed at meal times, and water should be available to children in child care at all times.

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4. Dental Visits Many children don’t have dental insurance, which

may limit access to care. The AAP and AAPD recommend that every infant

receive an oral health assessment by a qualified health professional by six months of age.

The first dental appointment should take place within 6 months after the first tooth appears and no later than 12 months of age.

Regular dental visits should occur twice yearly, or more often if need is greater.

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Dental Emergencies Some injuries need immediate

attention: Dislodged, chipped, or loosened teeth teeth pushed through gums toothache tissue injuries broken or dislocated jaw

Keep emergency contact information readily available.

Injury Prevention Young children are most likely to suffer injury

from falls. Prevent tooth damage from falls by:

Installing bumper guards around furniture with sharp edges

Placing baby gates at both the top and the bottom of stairs

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Children with Special Needs Children with special needs have a higher

incidence of untreated oral disease. Other health needs may take priority, or it

may be more difficult to find care. The same preventive strategies that work

for all children can be used with children with special needs.

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Review Training Objectives

Know why good oral health for infants and young children is important

Identify ways to improve children’s oral health

Be able to promote oral health in the classroom for all children, including children with special health care needs

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Learning Assessment

Bag O’ Tricks

Action Items

Write one thing you will do to promote oral health in your classroom or home.

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Evaluation

Please take a few minutes to complete the training evaluation. Thank you!