kit goes to dentist[1].pdf

KIT GOES TO

THE DENTIST

Dear Parent,

This coloring book will help prepare your child for a visit to the dentist. It

talks about how important it is to practice good oral habits to prevent or

reduce tooth decay (cavities). Please sit down with your child and read

this story together.

• Talk about the story and answer your child’s questions.

• Explain why it’s important to brush your teeth every day.

• Help your child learn the correct way to brush. Practice with your

child.

• Supervise your child’s toothbrushing.

• Teach your child to eat healthy foods to build strong teeth and keep

them healthy. Tell your child to avoid foods such as cake, candy,

cookies, and soft drinks.

Your child’s irst or baby teeth are called primary teeth. They are very

important because they help your child eat and speak. They also hold

spaces for your child’s permanent teeth.

As a parent, you should help your child learn how to care for his or her

teeth. If your child learns good oral habits such as brushing, lossing and

regular dental checkups at a young age, he or she will likely continue

these habits for life. The checklist on the next page has tips to keep a

healthy mouth which is important for overall good health.

Your friend,

Doctor Gentlepaw

Dr. Gentlepaw’s Checklist

• After you feed your infant, clean his or her gums with a washcloth. Your baby’s irst

tooth will appear between six and eight months of age. By the time your child is three,

he or she will have 20 teeth. It’s important to care for these teeth right away. When

a tooth comes in, clean it using a child’s soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not use any

toothpaste. After you brush your child’s teeth, be sure to rub his or her gums.

• Germs that are spread from one person to another cause cavities. Parents, guardians

and caretakers should be careful to avoid giving germs to babies. Do not use your

mouth to test the warmth of a baby bottle. Do not share forks or spoons with your

baby. And, do not clean a paciier or a bottle nipple by putting it in your mouth.

• See a dentist as soon as your child’s irst tooth comes in or before his or her irst

birthday. Your child should visit the dentist at least once a year – but two times a year

is better.

• When your child is two, start brushing his or her teeth with toothpaste that contains

luoride. Use a very small amount – equal to the size of a child’s pinky nail. Teach your

child to spit out the toothpaste. Do not let him or her swallow it. As early as possible,

teach your child how to brush his or her teeth. You will need to help your child until he

or she has good hand control, which is usually around age six or seven.

• Check to see if your home’s water supply contains luoride. If your drinking water does

not have luoride, talk to your child’s doctor or dentist about whether your child needs

a luoride supplement. If you don’t know if your water supply has luoride, ask your

child’s doctor or dentist or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web

site, “My Water’s Fluoride,” at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/index.asp.

• Pay attention to how your child’s gums and teeth look when they are healthy. If you

do this you will know when they’re not okay. Regularly lift your child’s lips to check his

or her teeth for small white or brown spots. If you see spots, it may be decay (cavities).

Take your child to the dentist right away. Also look at your child’s gums to see if they

are swollen, bleeding or very red. Talk with your dentist if you ind any of these signs.

• When your child’s permanent back teeth start to come in, around age six or seven,

talk to your dentist about sealants. Sealants can help prevent decay on permanent

back teeth.

• It is important for your child to eat healthy foods. It will help him or her grow and stay

healthy. Give your child a variety of foods from the ive major food groups and limit

snacks. Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar.

Once upon a time there was a kitten named Kit. He lived with his Mother Cat and

Father Cat and his brother and sister. Kit had a friendly smile.

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