What is the Most Common Childhood Disease? Read the slide. What are your guesses? (Acknowledge everyone who guesses by saying, “Thanks!” or “A lot of people think that”, or by repeating or rephrasing what they said.)

Tooth Decay! Tooth or Dental decay or what some people call CAVITIES. This is actually the most common disease in children. And it’s the most common cause of absence from school. Can you see the brown spots, and chalky-looking white spots? This is what decay looks like. The good news is…(next slide)

You can help prevent tooth decay in your babies and young children! (Read slide.) Today we are going to talk about three things: Why baby teeth are important How tooth decay starts How we can make sure our kids have healthy teeth Who can tell us one reason baby teeth are important? (Pause for responses before changing the slide. Acknowledge everyone who responds.)

Baby Teeth are Important ! Chew food Speak clearly Smile & feel good about how they look Save room for permanent teeth They last 6-12 years (Read the slide.) Dental health is an important part of your child’s overall health. *Summarize the reasons and what people said. DENTAL HEALTH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR CHILD’S OVERALL HEALTH. * Dental problems cause millions of hours away from school and work each year ( OVER 51 MILLION SCHOOL HOURS ARE LOST EACH YEAR) leading to unnecessary pain and cost.

What Causes Cavities? BACTERIA is passed from Mom, Dad, or siblings to baby’s mouth, by: Sharing food or eating utensils Sharing straws & cups Cleaning off the pacifier in your mouth (Read slide.) Who has done some of these things? (Facilitator, raise your own hand.) We have probably ALL done some of these things. (Read slide.) But this is how the harmful bacteria get from our mouths to baby’s mouth. Bacteria are what cause tooth decay. So what can we do to make sure our kids have healthy teeth? That’ss whwat we’ll spend the rest

First Dental Visit When first teeth come in, or by the 1st birthday Every Child needs a DENTAL HOME Take them to the dentist! (Read the slide.) We recommend finding a dental home for your baby when the first teeth come in or at least by age one. If you have private insurance, call them for names of dentists. If you have Medi Cal, call the number on the the half-sheet hand-out for Healthy Kids, Healthy Teeth. The goal is to prevent dental problems, so your child has an easy time with the dentist. Whose child has seen a dentist? (Acknowldedge all who share.)

White Spots: Early and Reversible Signs of Decay (Read the slide.) One of the things a dentist looks for are any white spots or lines on your child’s teeth. They usually start to appear next to the gum line. The good news is that at this stage the decay process is reversible with fluoride varnish!

Fluoride Varnish can prevent tooth decay Easy & Fast Tastes Good Painless Reverses white spots, and helps prevent cavities (Read the slide.) When your child goes to the dentist, they will probably apply a fluoride varnish. Some children enjoy the experience but some cry because they are not used to a stranger trying to get into their mouths. What else can you do? (Change slide)

Brush your child’s teeth Toothbrushing Read the slide. This removes the cavity-causing bacteria. Because you can see what you are doing, the best and most comfortable position for brushing your baby or young child’s teeth is with his/her head in your lap. You can do this while sitting on the floor, a couch, or on a baby’s changing table. Children need help with their brushing until at least age 8 because they do not have the coordination to brush thoroughly on their own. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day

Use a toothpaste with the word ‘fluoride’ on the label! (Read the slide.) Some children’s toothpastes do not contain fluoride. If the label says “Training toothpaste”, “Safe if swallowed’, or “Fluoride-free”, it does NOT contain fluoride. Let’s take a look. (Next slide.)

These do not contain fluoride! Read the label! (Read the slide.) These toothpastes are also marketed for children, but do not have any cavity-preventing fluoride. You can see (maybe) where it says: “Training toothpaste”, “Safe if swallowed’, or “Fluoride-free”, We do not recommend using these.

For babies and pre-school children, use only a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.  (Read the slide.) Fluoride toothpaste is like vitamins for the teeth. Only a small amount is needed. Like vitamins, keep it out of the reach of children. Put the toothpaste on the brush yourself. More is NOT better.

Lift the lip and use a small circular motion Turn your worksheet to the side with this picture. Here is your chance to practice brushing! (Read the slide. Demonstrate with a toothbrush on the slide or on the paper.) Lifting the lips will help you remove the plaque next to the gum line, where it forms first. Look for any white spots that may have formed, because fluoride varnish can reverse this decay. Brush all areas of the mouth: Front, back and tops of all teeth All the gum areas The tongue (Now you try.) So seeing a dentist and brushing twice a day help prevent decay. What else can help? (Next slide.)

Use baby bottle wisely Offer only Milk or Water in the Bottle NO BOTTLE at NIGHT Wean off the bottle by one year Start training to a sippy cup at 6 mos. (Read slide) Make sure you offer formula or breast milk as well as water in the cup or sippy cup. Sippy cups should have a hard top or a straw. Avoid using the bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier. Children who go to sleep with a bottle or continue to use a bottle after they are one year old are much more likely to get cavities.

Drink & Cook with Tap Water Tap Water has Fluoride in it Most Bottled Water Does Not (Read the slide.) Who here drinks tap water? (Wait for people to raise their hands.) Alameda County water is safe to drink and is tested regularly for impurities. Even your baby can safely drink tap water to strengthen both their baby and permanent, adult teeth. Bottled water is expensive. If you don’t like the taste of your water, a filtering pitcher or attachment for your faucet are options. You can also buy inexpensive, reusable water bottles at most stores

Avoid Frequent Sugary or Starchy Snacks How often sugary or starchy snacks are eaten is more critical than the amount eaten at a sitting. Foods that are sticky and juice or drinks that are sipped slowly are more likely to cause decay. Which of these are you surprised to learn cause decay? (Wait for responses and acknowledge all who speak.) Which of these do you think causes the most cavities in children? (Juice and soda.)

Eat Healthy Snacks Fruit Vegetables Cheese or Yogurt As you have probably already learned here at WIC, some snacks are healthier than others. What healthy snacks do you offer your children? (Acknowledge all answers.)

Take Good Care of Your Teeth, Too! You can keep teeth healthy and avoid most dental emergencies by getting regular dental care, even if you are pregnant. Studies show that women with healthy teeth are less likely to have babies with decayed teeth. And of course, taking care of your own mouth is a great example to set for your children.

REMEMBER: Baby Teeth Are Important! Let’s review. What do you see on the slide? (Acknowledge all who answer.) Bacterial transmission First visit by one year Brush with Fluoride toothpaste (rice-sized amount) Look for White Spots Give only milk or water in the bottle Wean off bottle by one year Drink tap water Avoid frequent sticky or sugary snacks Give healthy snacks Take good care of your own teeth