Did you know that over 60% of kindergarten students have experienced dental decay?
First 5 San Bernardino wants parents and caregivers to understand the critical importance of healthy teeth for their babies and toddlers. We’re delighted to partner with Smile SBC from the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health for our “Little Teeth, Big Responsibility” campaign.
Our children’s smiles matter, and it’s our responsibility to protect them. We urge parents and caregivers to make their child’s oral health a priority.
Healthy Baby Teeth Form Healthy Adult Teeth
Importance
Parents underestimate the importance of healthy baby teeth. Even though they will lose them, they are very important to a child’s health and development.
1st Dental Visit
Baby’s first dental visit should be before their first tooth or first birthday.
Baby Teeth
Baby teeth help them chew, speak and smile – and they hold space in their jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
Oral Care
Good oral care can help babies grow accustomed to the sights and sounds of the dental office.
Videos
Listen to an interview about Little Teeth, Big Responsibility on KVCR-FM with First 5 San Bernardino’s oral health partner Smile SBC!
Watch video of San Bernardino County and SmileSBC visiting a local elementary school.
Tooth Decay is Preventable
Yet, it remains the most common chronic childhood disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Children with tooth decay struggle with speaking and chewing correctly, as well as having low self-esteem and confidence.
Decay can start when the first tooth appears, so the CDC recommends a dental visit at baby’s first tooth or first birthday, whichever comes first. After that, again every six months.
Start good oral habits at an early age — brushing, flossing, eating healthy and visiting the dentist regularly. This will help your child get a great start on a lifetime of healthy, pain-free teeth and gums.
We are here for you! Check out these oral health resources that can be fun for you and your child:
- SmileSBC (Featured Partner) – Visit SmileSBC.org to find a dentist near you.
- Sesame Street – A collection of Brush Those Teeth games and videos is sure to get your child excited about brushing their teeth!
- American Academy of Pediatrics – The organization’s Brush, Book, Bed program includes teeth brushing as an important step of a child’s nighttime routine. A downloadable poster and flyer can help to remember these steps!
- California Department of Public Health – A downloadable Pregnancy & Dental Care fact sheet for expectant mothers emphasizes the importance of oral health during pregnancy. Did you know that oral health can lead to poor health outcomes for the mother and baby?
- Oral Health Partner Toolkit – Includes helpful marketing materials such as promotional copy, social media posts, and graphics and more.