Children's Oral Health
Oral health is an essential part of daily living. Good oral health practices like brushing and flossing reduce the risk of cancer, help maintain diabetes and prevent the need for some medications. The Sarpy/Cass Health Department’s Oral Health program aims to provide prevention-focused oral health education, support, and resources to connect with dental providers within rural Sarpy and Cass Counties in Nebraska. Oral health encompasses the teeth, gums, and airway system. The most common oral health diseases include cavities, gum or periodontal disease, and oral cancer.
Child Specific Tips:
Wipe infants’ gums daily with a damp washcloth. Twice a day brush their teeth as soon as they come in (usually between six and 12 months). Help your child brush until they are at least seven or eight years old.
- UNMC Dental Health Starter Kits in both English and Spanish. Come pick up a kit today at Sarpy/Cass Health Department!
- Fun timers: Disney Magic Timer App (FREE) & Two-Minute Toothbrushing Song
- Note:
- Apply a smear or grain of rice sized amount of toothpaste on toothbrush when teeth come in through age two.
- Apply a pea sized amount to toothbrush once child turns three years old.
- Begin flossing child’s teeth when they begin touching.
Take child to dentist after first teeth come in or when child turns one year old.
- Possible child dental visit questions: AAP Risk Assessment Tool
- First Dental Visit / Primera Visita al Dentista
- Children Dental Visits / Visitas Dentales Para Niños
- Video: When Should I Take My Baby to the Dentist?
The American Dental Association recommends infants should be fed exclusively breastmilk or formula for at least the first six months of life.
- Feeding children breastmilk or formula up to 12 months is encouraged.
- The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics say children can be introduced to whole foods at six months. Talk to child’s pediatrician about when whole foods can be introduced into your little one’s diet.
- The CDC offers educational videos and tips to know when a child is ready to eat these foods.
Drinking fluoridated water is important to support children’s teeth while preventing cavity development. Once old enough children should consume nutritious foods rich in phosphorus, vitamin D, and calcium.
- Links to snack tips for children: Healthy Snacks for Young Children / Giving Your Child Health Snacks / Choosing Healthy Drinks for Your Young Child / Cómo Escoger Bebidas Saludables
Fun Dental Education:
An Apple a D(ec)ay & (Peanut) Butter Fingers
Keep track of your brushing with this printable calendar: Brushing Calendar / Calendario Para Cepillarse los Dientes
Other Resources:
DHHS Dental Starter Kits for Ages 0-6 Years Old and Other Resources
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Explained by Speech Language Pathologist Inga Reischl
HHHS_Teething.pdf / HHHS_Dentición.pdf
Preventing Injuries to Your Child's Mouth / Cómo Prevenir Lesiones en la Boca de Su Niño
Helping Children Stop Using Pacifier / Cómo Ayudar a los Niños a Dejar de Usar el Chupete
Need to Find a Dental Home?
Find a Dental Clinic / Encuentre una Clínica Dental
Need Medicaid information for you or your child?
https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid-Eligibility.aspx
Call (M-F 8a-5p): Lincoln: (402) 473-7000 / Omaha: (402) 595-1178