Cavities are no fun—especially when they can often be prevented. Building healthy dental habits early can help protect your child’s teeth, prevent tooth decay and create a foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.

Regular dental visits are an important part of prevention. They give your child’s dental team an opportunity to monitor their oral health, identify concerns early and provide preventive treatments that can help stop cavities before they start.

Preventive Care

Good dental health begins before there is a problem.

Regular dental checkups allow your child’s dentist to monitor the development of their teeth and identify signs of tooth decay or other concerns early. Your dental team can also help you understand what your child needs at each stage as they grow.

Children should have their first dental visit when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday.

Preventive dental care may include regular exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments and dental sealants, along with guidance for keeping teeth healthy at home.

Fluoride Protection

Fluoride helps strengthen teeth and protect them from tooth decay.

There are several ways children can benefit from fluoride, including fluoride toothpaste, fluoridated drinking water and fluoride varnish applied during a dental visit.

Fluoride varnish is a concentrated fluoride coating painted onto the teeth. Research has shown that fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third of tooth decay in primary, or baby, teeth.

Children who drink fluoridated tap water and brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste also tend to experience less tooth decay.

Your child’s dentist can help you determine the right amount of fluoride for their age and individual needs.

Dental Sealants

Even with good brushing habits, the grooves and uneven surfaces of the back teeth can be difficult to keep completely clean. That’s where dental sealants can help.

Dental sealants are thin protective coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They create a barrier that helps keep food and bacteria out of areas where cavities commonly develop.

Studies have found that sealants can significantly reduce tooth decay in permanent molars and continue providing protection for several years after they are applied.

Talk with your child’s dentist about whether dental sealants are a good option for protecting their teeth.

Healthy Habits at Home

What happens between dental visits matters, too. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children establish healthy dental habits.

Help protect your child’s smile by:

• Brushing their teeth twice each day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Using only a smear or rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children younger than 3.
• Using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children ages 3 to 6.
• Supervising young children while they brush and teaching them to spit out toothpaste rather than swallow it.
• Helping children brush until they have developed the coordination to brush thoroughly on their own.
• Choosing water instead of sugary drinks whenever possible.
• Limiting frequent sugary snacks and drinks that can contribute to tooth decay.
• Asking your child’s dentist whether fluoride varnish or dental sealants could provide additional protection.
• Scheduling regular dental visits beginning with your child’s first tooth or no later than their first birthday.

If your home’s drinking water is not fluoridated, talk with your child’s dentist or healthcare provider about whether additional fluoride may be appropriate.

Start Healthy Smiles Early

Preventive dental care doesn’t have to be complicated. Regular dental visits, fluoride, dental sealants and healthy habits at home can all work together to protect your child’s teeth.

Starting those habits early can help make caring for their smile a normal part of growing up—and help prevent painful dental problems later.

Eastern Iowa Health Center provides preventive dental care for children and families. Our dental team is here to answer your questions and help you determine the preventive care that is right for your child.

Call us to schedule your visit or learn more about availability.

Main Clinic: 319-730-7300

Adult New Patient Line (3rd Wednesday only): 319-393-4077

Pediatric Clinic: 319-200-5010