Caring for Older Kids’ Teeth
Kids ages 6 to 12 need to take good care of their mouths so their smiles last a lifetime.1 As a parent, you can help. Here are some suggestions:
Take your child to see a dental professional regularly.1
Encourage kids to eat a balanced diet.1
Limit sugary snacks between meals. Instead, offer healthy snacks such as fresh fruits and raw veggies, nuts, low-fat cheese, and plain crackers.2
Make sure your child wears the proper protective gear, such as a mouthguard, during sporting events.1
Get kids to brush twice a day. Swap old toothbrushes with new ones every three or four months.3
What about the occasional toothache? Ease toothaches with a cold compress and some acetaminophen.1
1“Helpful Hints for a Healthy Smile.” Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.aapd.org/foundation/hints.asp Accessed 2008.
2 “Snack Smart for Health Teeth.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. August 1, 2008.
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/OralHealthInformation/ChildrensOralHealth/SnackSmartforHealthyTeeth Accessed 2008.
3 “Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums.” American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/cleaning.asp Accessed 2008.
Date Last Reviewed:
12/8/2008
Date Last Modified:
10/12/2008