Oral Health for Infants to Teens

Toddlers
Making oral hygiene fun for your toddlers helps ensure that they will take care of their teeth forever.  A fun toothbrush, brushing to music or brushing together are all ways to make caring for their teeth an enjoyable experience. 

For young toddlers, be sure that they use small amounts of toothpaste, spit out any remaining paste and rinse with water.  Parents also may want to do the final brushing to be sure all food debris is removed.  Also, floss your toddler’s teeth daily to prevent plaque buildup between the teeth.

Young Children
Around the ages of 6 or 7, most children start to lose baby teeth and permanent teeth begin to take their place.  During this exciting time, it is important to keep both baby teeth and permanent teeth healthy. 

To continue good oral care, make sure your child rinses with water after each meal, brushes at least twice a day and has regular dental checkups.

As permanent teeth are growing in, encourage healthy eating for your child as well.  Calcium is especially important for developing strong bones and teeth.  Limit eating between meals, but when snacking, choose healthy snacks over sugary snacks that promote tooth decay.

Pre-Teens/Teenagers
By age 13, the average teenager has about 28 permanent teeth.  Only the wisdom teeth should be left to come in.

For an image-conscious teen, teeth stains, missing teeth and bad breath are reason enough to keep up good oral care.  However, the lifestyle of the average teen often works against a healthy oral care plan. 

For instance, the average 12- to 19-year-old male drinks approximately 868 cans of soft drinks a year.*  Sports drinks and juices are no better — they can damage teeth when consumed in large amounts.

To combat these sugary drinks and the heavy snacking of many teens, encourage your child to carry a travel-size toothbrush, chew sugarfree gum and drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Stock your home with plenty of floss, toothpastes and teeth-healthy foods to encourage a family of healthy smiles.

* Academy of General Dentistry, 2006.

Enjoy all of the information and tips in our dental health library.

Dental Emergencies
What to Do About a Toothache
What Should I Do If I Lose a Filling Or Crown?

Dental Health Topics
I Brush, Why Do I Have to Floss?
Amalgam Fillings - Tested and Approved
What to Do About Bad Breath
Can Cold Syrup Make Your Teeth Sick?
Caring for Your Toothbrush
A Berry-Good Weapon Against Tooth Decay

Oral Health and You
The Seven Eating Habits of Healthy Smiles
What Is Good Oral Health?
Oral Health and Your Overall Well-Being
Your Oral Health and Heart Disease
Your Oral Health and Diabetes
Your Oral Health and Pregnancy
Oral Health Infant to Teen
Oral Health: Senior Smiles
Preventive Oral Care for Everyone