Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, but it's preventable. Children with dental pain can have trouble speaking clearly, eating, and learning. Resources in this collection cover the health of the mouth including the teeth, gums, and oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew.
These resources highlight some of the most common diseases that affect oral health, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Long term use of pacifiers can affect your child’s bite and the growth of the jaws and bones that support their teeth. If your child shows no interest in giving up their pacifier by 18 months, they may need help to stop.
A dental visit by age 1 is key for building a lifetime of good oral health. Tooth decay can be prevented or managed with early dental visits and with good oral hygiene.
Find out how some oral habits may be harmful to children’s teeth and mouths. Explore tips staff can share with parents about using a pacifier safely and weaning their child from a pacifier.
Taking care of babies’ oral health is important. Care should start before the baby’s first tooth. Learn what to do to help promote good oral health for babies.
Explore information and strategies on improving and maintaining the oral health of infants. Head Start staff can use these tip sheets in the classroom and to share with parents
Teething happens when a baby’s primary teeth push through the gums into the baby’s mouth. Learn about teething and tips to comfort a baby who has teething pain.
Primary teeth are key to a child’s growth and development. Head Start staff play a vital role in helping parents understand the importance of primary teeth to good oral health and overall health and well-being.
Baby (primary) teeth are a child’s first set of teeth and by age 2½ to 3 years old, all 20 baby teeth will have come into the mouth. Taking care of a child’s baby teeth is important for their overall health and development.
A baby’s teeth start coming in at about 6 to 10 months old and it’s important to take care of their teeth. Learn about what you can do to keep baby teeth healthy.
Baby teeth start coming in at about 6 to 10 months old, and can sometimes hurt. Get tips for simple ways to help prevent or reduce teething pain.