Tooth decay (dental caries) affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems; such as eating, speaking, playing, and learning.

The good news is that tooth decay and other oral diseases that can affect children are preventable. The combination of dental sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school-age children.

What Parents and Caregivers Can Do

Here are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child:

• Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals and avoid frequent between-meal snacking.

• Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride.

  • Use a fluoride toothpaste. If your child is less than 7 years old, put only a pea-sized amount on their toothbrush.

  • If your drinking water is not fluoridated, talk to a dentist or physician about the best way to protect your child’s teeth.

• Talk to your child’s dentist about dental sealants. They protect teeth from decay.

• If you are pregnant, get prenatal care and eat a healthy diet. The diet should include folic acid to prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord and possibly cleft lip/palate.

Check out the following Web sites for more tips on children’s oral health:

• Children’s Oral Health-Surgeon General Fact Sheet. You will learn quick oral health facts and find information on other ways to protect your child’s oral health.

• Infant Formula and Fluoridated Water. This page answers frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about mixing infant formula with fluoridated water.

• Brush Up on Healthy Teeth. This is a health education campaign including a Brush Up Quiz for Parents, Tip Sheet, and Poster. En espanõl.

Related Links

• Oral Health and Pregnancy

• Oral Health and Learning* (PDF–81KB)

• The Community Guide/Oral Health*

• Dental Amalgam Use and Benefits

• Fact Sheets and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Children’s Oral Health Journal Articles and Publications

• School-Based Dental Sealants

• Community Water Fluoridation

• My Water’s Fluoride

• National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS)

* Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by Focusvi, WSTA Radio or PEO Productions, Inc., and none should be inferred.  Focusvi, WSTA Radio or PEO Productions, Inc. are is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.