Hill County  Health Department

"Hand in Hand, Keeping Hill County Healthy"

Dental Health

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Dental caries, the most common Chronic Childhood disease in the United States, begins early in an infant or child’s life.

Now more than ever, kids are faced with a selection of food choices - from fresh fruits and vegetables to sugar-loaded processed convenience meals and snack foods. What children eat and when they eat it may affect not only their general health but also their oral health!  

Everyday activities may contribute to the tendency toward tooth decay. These include "grazing" regularly on foods with minimal nutritional value and sipping of sugary drinks.

To reduce your children's risk of tooth decay:

  • Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle.
  • Using a soft cloth, wipe your baby's teeth after feeding.
  • Don't allow your baby to walk around with a bottle or sippy cup.
  • Do not clean a dropped pacifier with your mouth, or share your fork or spoon with your baby. This passes decay-causing germs from your mouth to baby's mouth.
  • Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
  • Limit between-meals snacks.
  • If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase salvia flow and reduce plaque acids.
  • Supervise beverage selection - when offering drinks suggest water and low-fat milk.
  • Teach good brushing and flossing habits. Brush and floss your own teeth every day.
  • Schedule regular dental visits.

Lesson Plans for Children

Websites concerning Dental Health