1. Baby Teeth: Get the 411

2. Myth or Fact? Dental disease is the number one chronic illness in children? FACT!

3. Baby teeth ARE important They help the baby:  1) Eat well and grow strong  2) Learn to speak clearly  3) Help permanent teeth come in straight  4) They can transmit cavities to permanent teeth if not treated

4. Infants Dental disease can cause infants pain  But they don’t have the ability to tell you how much pain they are in Dental disease can affect:  Sleep  Playfulness  Ability to develop good language skills

5. When should your child get their first dental screening? By the age of 1 The dental screening can be performed by either a pediatrician or a dentist

6. Myth or Fact? Can you give your child dental caries by kissing them? FACT! Tooth decay is an infectious disease (practice good oral hygiene to prevent the spread)

7. Main cause of dental caries (cavities) Cause:  Bacteria Reasons:  1) Inherits bacteria from parents (kissing)  2) Bottles and nursing  3) Sugary foods

8. Nutrition How a baby eats affects whether or not they develop dental caries

9. Unhealthy snacks: Crackers Chips Cereal Candy Cookies Juice

10. Healthy snacks: Peas Carrots Bananas Pears Apples

11. Should you clean your baby’s mouth if they do not have any teeth? YES! You can use:  Damp washcloth  Finger brush

12. How many times a day should you brush your child’s teeth? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 Answer: B (2 times a day!) (Brush your child’s teeth once in the morning and once at night)

13. How much toothpaste should your child use? A) Rice sized amount B) Pea sized amount C) Marble sized amount Answer: A, rice sized amount (A child over the age of 2 should use a rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste)

14. Tooth brushing demonstration Main points:  1) Brush for 1 minute on the bottom  2) Bush for 1 minute on the top  3) Use small circular motions to brush

15. Promoting oral hygiene at home Break into small groups of three or four Share ideas about how to promote good oral habits and get your kids excited about taking care of their teeth Allow each person in the group to come up with at least one idea Vote on one idea to share with the rest of the group

16. Promoting oral hygiene Light up toothbrush Wild Flossers Dental Floss Gold star chart

17. Checking your child’s mouth for signs of decay “Lift the Lip” technique http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRodm0Zxvfw& playnext=1&list=PLA3376CEB4F2182E4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRodm0Zxvfw& playnext=1&list=PLA3376CEB4F2182E4

18. What to look for when performing “Lift the Lip” 1) Check your child’s gums and look for signs of swelling or redness 2)White spots on the teeth= Early signs of decay 3) Brown spots= Signs of further decay

19. Fluoride Varnish What is fluoride varnish? Used to treat early signs of oral disease Varnish helps inhibit the progression of disease and may help reverse the early cavities themselves Can be applied in a doctors clinic or dental clinic Children 12 months and up should have fluoride varnish applied 2 or 3 times a year Ask a dentist or doctor about fluoride varnish

20. Fluoride varnish

21. Barriers to healthcare Issues of eligibility and insurance should not keep you from taking your child into the dentist In WA state you can call your local health department and they can help you find resources when you need it Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD)  Links you to a dentist in your area

22. Whatcom County Health Department Whatcom County Health Department 509 Girard Street Bellingham WA 98225 Telephone: (360) 676-6724; Fax: (360) 676-7646 After hours emergency number: (360) 715-2588 Email: health@whatcomcounty.us health@whatcomcounty.us

23. Pop Quiz! Dental disease is the number one chronic illness in children? Myth or fact? Fact Are baby teeth important? Yes or no? Yes, because? When should your child get their first dental screening? By their 1 st birthday You can give your child dental caries by kissing them? Myth or fact? Fact What is the main cause of tooth decay? Bacteria Should you clean your baby’s mouth if they do not have teeth? If so, what should you use? Yes, use a damp washcloth or a finger brush to clean their gums How many times a day should you and your child brush your teeth? 2 (once in the morning and once before bed) How much toothpaste should your child use? Rice, pea, or marble size drop? Rice

24. Pop Quiz Continued List a few healthy snacks for children Peas, apples, pears, carrots, bananas, etc What should you look for when performing the “lift the lip” technique? Signs of swelling or redness on the gums and white or brown spots on the teeth Name two proper brushing techniques 1) Brush for two minutes 2) Use small circular motions when brushing Name one way to promote oral hygiene at home Use enthusiasm, model good oral hygiene; use light-up tooth brushes, etc. At what age should a child first have fluoride varnish applied AND how often should it be applied? Age 12 months Should be applied 2-3 times a year