Promoting Oral Health in Child Care

1. Promoting Oral Health in Child Care CCHC Lexington March 2011

2. Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is the most common infectious disease of childhood • It can interfere with eating, sleeping, speaking, learning, playing, & school readiness Tooth decay is a disease

3. Severe Early Childhood Caries Dental Caries

4. Tooth decay, if left untreated, can demineralize the tooth to the pulp and cause an abscess, which can be life threatening Severe complications of decay

5. Primary teeth Eruption Patterns

6. Permanent teeth Eruption Patterns

7. Caregivers should be cautioned about the use of teething products that contain the numbing agent, Belladonna Teething

8. Teething rings are recommended over other remedies Teething

9. Baby teeth are essential for • Good nutrition • Language development • Self esteem • Baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth Baby teeth are important

10. Do not let a child fall asleep with a bottle of milk, formula, juice • Only put children to sleep with bottles containing water Baby bottle tooth decay

11. Infants • Wipe gums gently after feeding using a clean, wet cloth or strip of gauze • Brush baby teeth ~ 6 months, after first eruption, with a soft-bristled toothbrush What care is appropriate?

12. Toddlers and preschoolers • Brush teeth with a soft, child-sized toothbrush • Use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste • Wipe off excess toothpaste until the child is old enough to rinse independently • Children can start the brushing but need an adult’s help to do it thoroughly • Supervising adults should wash their hands after assisting each child What care is appropriate?

13. Demonstration of proper assistance What care is appropriate?

14. School-age children • Allow children to brush their own teeth with supervision • The supervising adult may need to finish the job for some children, ensuring that all tooth surfaces are reached • Children need supervision and may need help with brushing until they are at least 8 years old What care is appropriate?

15. Each child will need a toothbrush labeled with his or her name • Use a rack for storage where toothbrushes can be suspended with space between so brushes do not contact each other What equipment is needed?

16. Storage Equipment

17. Angle bristles toward the gum margin • Use light pressure with a circular motion • Biting surfaces also need to be brushed Toothbrushing Technique

18. Drinking tap water allows for fluoride to become systemic and protect the whole tooth • Have children rinse with water after meals and snacks Importance of water: Fluoride

19. Oral care can easily be incorporated into a program’s daily routine • To emphasize that oral care is an important habit, schedule toothbrushing at the same time each day • Rinse teeth with water after eating Make oral health a daily routine

20. Serve tooth-friendly snacks: cheese, yogurt, fruits, vegetables • Avoid soda, sweetened drinks, sweet treats • Dilute juices with water • If children eat sweet, sticky foods, brush or rinse with water afterwards • Educate families that children need regular dental checkups Steps to oral health

21. KIDS SMILE Oral Health Training Program Department for Public Health Cabinet for Health Services Commonwealth of Kentucky Frankfort KY 40621-0001 Division of Dental Public Health College of Dentistry University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40536-0297 California Childcare Health Program Information provided by http://www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/pdfs/Curricula/oral%20health_11_v8.pdf