8 Ways to Fight Children's Tooth Decay
Good dental health for kids is as easy as, well, catching a firefly! Here are eight quick, easy, cost-effective and proven ways to protect little teeth:
- Brush children’s teeth twice a day using safe and effective fluoride toothpaste. There’s no need to rinse after brushing.
- Use pacifiers safely only until age 1. Don’t dip them in honey or other sweet, sugary products.
- Offer only water at bedtime. Avoid food or other drinks in bed.
- Make sure children drink fluoridated water.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Limit sugary foods and drinks.
- Offer water between meals instead of milk or juice.
- Schedule regular visits to the dentist starting at age 1.
- Set a good example and protect the whole family’s oral health. Ensure everyone visits the dentist for regular check-ups.
Celebrate National Oral Health Month and kick off summer the right way. Schedule that dental visit now.
Access to Dental Care
Most NC counties have a Safety Net Dental Clinic. Most accept insurance, NC Medicaid and NC Health Choice for Children.
No dental insurance? Many Safety Net clinics provide services on a sliding-fee scale based on income.
Find a Safety Net Dental Clinic
Medicaid recipients: Most Medicaid insurance covers dental care for both children and adults. No dentist? Find a Medicaid dental provider