Tooth Care: Ages and Stages
Learn how to maintain kids’ oral hygiene as they grow!
Here’s how to keep children’s smiles healthy at every age and stage!
Infant and Toddler:
- Use a soft washcloth to clean baby’s gums and teeth every day, as soon as they come in.
- Schedule a first dental visit within six months after kids’ first tooth, or by their first birthday.
- Soothe a teething child by gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger, cold washcloth, or chilled teething ring.
Preschooler:
- Remember to help children brush their teeth.
- Set up regular dental visits. There, you can learn about common concerns such as thumb-sucking and mouth injuries.
School-age child:
- Keep track of your child’s brushing and flossing routines, and help out when needed.
- During a child’s regular dental visits, get advice about caring for baby teeth or new, permanent teeth. Ask for advice on any issues, from using mouth guards for sports to chewing gum.
Lessening Children’s Fear of Needles
Preparing, distracting, and comforting your child can go a long way in helping them get through these moments.
To Like or Not to Like
Like most children, Cookie Monster’s niece is a little… choosy. Check out his strategy for helping her try a new food!
Go To Sleep, Elmo!
Handling a middle-of-the-night monster moment.
Cookie Monster’s Beach Day
When children are in the hospital, their imagination can become a valuable tool in soothing themselves.
Listen, Feel, and See with Elmo
When children are in the hospital, this mindfulness game can help them soothe themselves.
Sleep Struggles... and Successes
Today, Tonight, and Tomorrow
It takes a special kind of patience to handle children’s middle-of-the-night wakeups! Read about how a Monster-Fairy family manages it.
