Who this is for
- Parents of babies and toddlers whose first teeth are coming in.
- Parents of school-age children who are learning to brush on their own.
- Anyone who wants to know what a children’s check-up involves.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises a first visit by the first tooth and no later than the first birthday.
Brushing by age
These amounts follow guidance from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Under 3. An adult brushes the child’s teeth twice a day. Once teeth are in, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
- Ages 3 to 6. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. An adult still brushes, and flosses where teeth touch.
- School age. The child brushes and flosses. An adult checks until the child does it well, including the molars (the back teeth).
Teach your child to spit the toothpaste out rather than swallow it.
Snacks and drinks
- Water is a steady choice between meals.
- Sweet drinks and sticky foods are better kept to mealtimes than sipped or nibbled through the day.
- Juice counts as a sweet drink.
- Put a baby to bed without a bottle of milk or juice.
Fluoride varnish and sealants, explained
Fluoride varnish is a protective coating painted on the teeth. It stays on the enamel (the hard outer layer of the tooth) after you leave, and the dentist tells you what to eat and drink afterward.
Sealants are thin coatings placed on the chewing grooves of the molars. They make the grooves easier to keep clean. Not every tooth needs one.
What we do at our office
Ask the front desk which preventive care will be offered on pediatric days.
What happens at the visit
- The adult bringing your child checks in; a parent or legal guardian’s written consent is on file before treatment.
- The dentist looks at the teeth and gums and asks about brushing and snacks.
- Soft buildup that the brush missed may be cleaned off.
- If varnish or sealants would help, the dentist explains why before anything is done.
- You agree on when to come back.
Risks and limits
- Prevention lowers the chance of decay; it cannot rule decay out.
- Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste while adult teeth are forming can leave faint white marks on them. That is why the amounts above are small.
- Sealants can wear or come off, so they are checked at later visits.
- Not every tooth needs a sealant, and not every visit needs varnish.
- How often a child is seen is a clinical decision, not a set calendar.
Questions parents ask
Is fluoride safe for my child?
In the amounts used for children, fluoride varnish and toothpaste are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. Use the amounts above and watch your child brush.
How often should my child have a check-up?
Many children are seen about every six months. The dentist sets the interval from what is seen at each visit.
When are sealants placed?
Often soon after the molars come in. The dentist says which teeth, if any, are ready.
Consent
Treatment needs written consent from a parent or legal guardian. If another adult brings your child with your signed authorization, that adult stays in the room.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: aapd.org
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: mouthhealthy.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, oral health: cdc.gov/oral-health