Transcript Number of Participants per Session

Healthy Smiles:
Oral Health of
Young Children
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Your Name
 Your Agency
 Date
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© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Training Objectives
Know why good oral health for
infants and young children is
important
 Identify ways to improve children’s
oral health
 Be able to promote oral health in the
classroom for all children, including
children with special health care
needs

© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Why is oral health important?
 The
health of the mouth affects
the overall health of the body.
 Early childhood caries is the
most common infectious disease
affecting young children in the
United States.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2007
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Tooth decay can cause:
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Increased risks of caries in permanent teeth
Increased hospitalizations and emergency room
visits
Increased expenditures on dental health care
Insufficient physical development (from
dehydration and under-nutrition associated with
chronic mouth pain)
Loss of school days
Diminished capacity to learn
Lowered self-confidence and self-image
(AAPD, 2010c)
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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When Do Teeth Develop?
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Primary teeth (“baby teeth”): in utero
1st tooth: 5-7 months
All 20 primary teeth: 2-3 yrs
Permanent teeth: 5-6 yrs
Last primary molar:12-14 yrs
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Teething
When does teething begin?
Before the first tooth erupts
1.
2. How can you tell if an infant
is teething?
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Gums become red, swollen
and tender.
The infant is fussy, has excess
saliva, and wants to chew on
something semi-firm.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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TRUE OR FALSE?
Since the primary teeth get
replaced by permanent teeth,
it is not important to take care
of the primary teeth.
FALSE!
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Caring for Primary Teeth
 Tooth
Decay is common!
 Baby teeth allow children to:
 Chew
properly
 Develop speech
 Maintain space for permanent
teeth
 Develop a healthy smile
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Key Prevention Strategies
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4.
Cleaning Teeth
Fluoride
Nutrition
Dental Visits
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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1. Cleaning Teeth
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Child care providers can help improve children’s oral
health by setting aside time to brush teeth in the
classroom (with children seated on the floor or at tables
or taking turns near a sink).
A small amount of toothpaste should be distributed to
each child on wax paper or in paper cups to prevent
cross-contamination (University of Iowa, 2004).
Brushing together provides an opportunity for children to
model behavior of teachers and other children, and
allows staff to supervise.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Age-Appropriate Cleaning
Cleaning Teeth and Gums of Infants and Children
Infants
Caregivers should wipe gums with a clean,
damp cloth
Before Age 2
Caregivers should brush for the child
At about age 3
Children should begin to learn to brush their
own teeth
By age 4
Children should brush their own teeth
At least until age 6
Caregivers should continue to ensure that teeth
are thoroughly cleaned
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Proper Care of Toothbrushes
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Each child's toothbrush should be clearly
marked with his or her name.
Toothbrushes may not be shared.
Toothbrushes should be air-dried and stored
with bristles up so they do not touch or drip on
one another.
If a toothbrush becomes contaminated through
contact with another brush or child, it should
be thrown away.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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2. Fluoride
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Fluoride helps protect the teeth from harmful bacteria that
can cause cavities.
Fluoride can also help reverse tooth decay that has
already begun, although only in the early stages.
A child can receive fluoride in two ways, systemically or
topically.
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Children receive fluoride systemically by
drinking fluoridated water or chewing fluoride
tablets.
Children receive fluoride topically when
fluoridated water washes over the teeth,
when using toothpastes and mouthwashes,
and during fluoride treatments applied by a
dental professional.
Includes
fluoride by
Photo courtesy of the Oregon Oral Health Program
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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3. Nutrition
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Provide a healthy, balanced diet consisting
of a variety of foods.
Visit www.choosemyplate.gov for tips and
ideas.
Prior to age 5-6, a diet rich in calcium (dairy
products) is especially important to
strengthen permanent teeth while they are
forming, and to keep the gums and mouth
healthy as they emerge.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Nutrition (continued)
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Foods and drinks containing sugars are the most
harmful.
 All sugars promote tooth decay, even the sugars
and starches in foods that are essential to a
healthy diet.
 The longer sugars remain in contact with the teeth
and gums, the greater the risk for decay.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Nutrition (continued)
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“Baby-Bottle Decay” can result from the longterm exposure to sugar that occurs when infants
given a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid
as a pacifier or comforter at bedtime.
A small amount of 100% fruit juice (4 oz.) should
only be allowed at meal times, and water should
be available to children in child care at all times.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2007
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4. Dental Visits
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Many children don’t have dental insurance, which
may limit access to care.
The AAP and AAPD recommend that every infant
receive an oral health assessment by a qualified
health professional by six months of age.
The first dental appointment should take place
within 6 months after the first tooth appears and
no later than 12 months of age.
Regular dental visits should occur twice yearly, or
more often if need is greater.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Dental Emergencies
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Some injuries need immediate
attention:
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Dislodged, chipped, or loosened teeth
teeth pushed through gums
toothache
tissue injuries
broken or dislocated jaw
Keep emergency contact
information readily available.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Injury Prevention
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Young children are most likely to suffer injury
from falls.
Prevent tooth damage from falls by:
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Installing bumper guards around furniture with sharp
edges
Placing baby gates at both the top and the bottom of
stairs
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Children with Special Needs
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Children with special needs have a higher
incidence of untreated oral disease.
 Other health needs may take priority, or it
may be more difficult to find care.
 The same preventive strategies that work
for all children can be used with children
with special needs.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Review Training Objectives
Know why good oral health for infants
and young children is important
 Identify ways to improve children’s
oral health
 Be able to promote oral health in the
classroom for all children, including
children with special health care
needs

© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Learning Assessment
Bag O’ Tricks
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Action Items
Write one thing you will do to
promote oral health in your
classroom or home.
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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Evaluation
Please take a few minutes
to complete the training
evaluation. Thank you!
© The National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, UNC-CH, 2011
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