Ages & Stages Healthy Living Safety & Prevention Family Life Health Issues News Tips & Tools
FOCUS ON
ORAL HEALTH
February 2013 • #46
A Note from the Medical Editor

The best way to protect your child’s teeth is to teach good dental habits right from the start. Your pediatrician can help to teach you how to take care of children’s teeth until they can see a dentist.  Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that all children see a dentist comfortable caring for young children by age one. Then, make sure your youngster continues to have dental checkups twice a year as they grow.

Remember, diet also plays a role in healthy teeth. Limit sugary snacks and drinks, and keep in mind that nothing but water should be put in a bottle or sippy cup between meals and at bed or naptime. A healthy diet combined with tooth brushing and seeing a dentist will keep your kiddos smiling bright.

Happy Brushing!
~Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor, HealthyChildren.org
Featured Articles
A Guide to Children's Dental Health
Learn how to care for your child’s teeth from birth to 24 months of age and beyond. Remember, practice what you preach! Go >
Early Oral Health for Infants & Toddlers (Audio)
Pediatric dentist Adriana Segura DDS, MS, FAAP comes to HealthyChildren Radio to answer some common questions parents have on dental health. Go >
Dental Health and Orthodontic Problems
If you wore braces as a child, there is a good chance your child will too. Learn how orthodontic problems are treated today. Go >
Looking for more age-specific information?
Visit the Ages & Stages section of HealthyChildren.org!
prenatal toddler baby gradeschool
preschool teen young adult teen
Featured Tip
Teach your child to drink from a regular cup as soon as possible, preferably by 12 to 15 months of age.
Hot Topics
view all >
Ask the Pediatrician
view all >
Check out these great resources!
New Ad Council Campaign on Children's Oral Health: 2MIN2X
Did you know brushing for two minutes now can save your child from severe tooth pain later?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a part of the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives Campaign, which is steering a new Ad Council campaign targeting children's oral health. The campaign focuses on families making the time for daily tooth brushing.

Two minutes, twice a day. They have the time. For fun, 2-minute videos to watch while brushing, go to 2min2x.org.
American Academy of Pediatrics | 141 Northwest Point Blvd. | Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
To stop receiving HealthyChildren.org e-mails, click here to unsubscribe.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn healthychildren.org