First Smile Delaware-Children's Oral Health

A healthy smile should last a lifetime.

Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease in the U.S. – nearly five times more common that asthma. Yet oral health problems can almost always be prevented.

Not only can dental disease be extremely painful, but treatment can be very costly for parents. Taking good care of your child’s teeth through these simple, preventative activities can help to avoid significant problems down the road.

Take your child to the dentist every six months.
Make sure your children brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss daily.
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Brush and floss your children’s teeth until they’re coordinated enough to tie their shoes, usually around age six.
Limit sugary foods and drinks, including sticky foods such as raisins and fruit roll-ups.
Get dental sealants (a liquid that prevents tooth decay) by age six to protect the first permanent molars.

Dental disease can negatively impact a child’s development and self-esteem. If left untreated, tooth decay can cause school absences and even affect a child’s ability to learn and concentrate at school.

Cavities are not inevitable – you have the power to prevent dental disease!

Download a printable brochure of oral health tips for children.

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Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from Adobe . If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe's Accessibility Tools page.

First Smile Delaware-Children's Oral Health

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