Oral Health

​Everyone

• Routine, routine routine! Practicing good oral health is all about establishing and keeping a daily oral health routine, following the instructions below.
• Brush your teeth and tongue morning and night–2 times a day at least–with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush that is the right size for you for 2 minutes. 
• Spit out the toothpaste, but don’t rinse it off with water or mouthwash.
• Floss at least once before bedtime.
• Eat foods and drinks low in added sugars. Too much sugar in the mouth for too long can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
• Snack on healthy foods and drinks at specific times, not all throughout the day.
• Drink tap water with fluoride.
• See the dentist at least twice a year for a check-up.
• If you take medications, ask your doctor or dentist if they may increase your risk for oral health problems. For example, some medications cause dry mouth or oral yeast infections. Take the steps your doctor and dentist recommend to best care for your oral health while on these medications.

Pregnancy

• ​It is safe and important to see the dentist during your pregnancy.
• Changes to your body during pregnancy may make your gums more sore, red, or likely to get a mild (reversible) form of gum disease. It is important to keep gently brushing and flossing your teeth. Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste.
• If you have morning sickness and vomiting, protect your teeth from the acid that can cause teeth erosion by rinsing with tap water or a teaspoon of baking soda and a cup of water. Before bed, rinse with an alcohol free mouthwash with fluoride.
• Having a healthy mouth yourself will help your child to have a healthier mouth too.
• If you smoke or use tobacco, quit. See here for help.
• For additional information, see the pregnancy and oral health webpage here.

Babies​

• Take your baby to their 1st dental appointment when their 1st tooth comes in, or by their 1st birthday. If your child’s dental office tells you they see babies starting at age 2 or older, schedule the appointment as close to your baby’s first birthday as possible. Ask the office if it’s possible to schedule a quicker initial ‘get to know you’ visit when your baby turns one. Click on the video above or here to learn more.
• Wipe the baby’s gums with a soft wet cloth after each feeding. During nighttime feedings, keep a bottle with water in it nearby and give them a little water after the feeding to rinse their mouth.
• If your baby needs a bottle to fall asleep, it should only have water in it. Babies that fall asleep with a bottle with milk in it can get tooth decay called “Baby Bottle Syndrome” because the milk pools in their mouth and bathes it with sugars that cause tooth decay. If your child falls asleep while feeding, remove the bottle as soon as you notice they are no longer sucking.
• Start brushing your baby’s teeth with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste when their first tooth appears with a soft toothbrush. You can use a rubber finger brush for babies. Use a rice sized amount of toothpaste until they’re about 3, when you can switch to using larger pea sized amounts. 
• Start flossing their teeth when they have two teeth that touch. You can use floss picks if they are easier to use.
• Babies should not be given juice to drink.
• Parents/ caregivers need to keep their mouths healthy and not share utensils with their baby. Rinse your baby’s pacifier with water to clean it. Do not use your mouth to clean it. Bacteria from the parent’s mouth can transfer to the baby’s mouth.
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when your baby is 6 months, your pediatrician can start to do oral health checkups and apply fluoride varnish. All infants and children should have fluoride varnish every 6 months until age 5.  Children might need it every 3 months if they have a higher risk of dental decay. These fluoride varnish applications are covered for free by public (HPSM Dental) and private dental health insurance plans.

Kids

• It’s all about establishing and keeping to a daily oral health routine! Do not skip the daily oral health routine, even when it gets hard. Brush and floss together as a family. See our books and songs page for ways to make the routine more fun.
• Kids need their parents/ caregivers to help them brush and floss their teeth until they’re about 7-8 years old, and have the skills to do it themselves.  
• Kids should see the dentist twice a year, and get fluoride treatments and sealants to protect their teeth.
• Kids should drink lots of water, and should not drink juice, sodas, and other sugary drinks. If they have juice or a sugary drink, it should only be about 4 ounces (half a cup) or less.
• Kindergartners- in California, public school kindergartners need to see a dentist for a checkup and complete the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment to turn into their school at the start of the school year. See here for more information.
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all children should have fluoride varnish every 6 months until age 5.  Children might need it every 3 months if they have a higher risk of dental decay. These fluoride varnish applications are covered for free by public (HPSM Dental) and private dental health insurance plans.
• The American Dental Association recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by 7 years of age.
• Ask your child’s dentist about what protective gear they should wear in their mouth if they play sports.