Parents & Families

Parents Say: "My Kids Forget to Brush Their Teeth"

Mon, 11/10/2014 - 1:46pm — TeethFirst

According to a recent survey released by the national Ad Council, 75% of the parents surveyed said that their children either sometimes or frequently forget to brush their teeth.

This is very concerning, since more than 51 million school hours are missed due to dental-related issues that could be prevented with good tooth care at home. No child needs to have a cavity or pain in their mouth!

What's happening?

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TeethFirst! Turns 1 - Thank You for Your Support!

Wed, 09/10/2014 - 1:39pm — TeethFirst

Can you believe it? TeethFirst! launched a year ago!

As part of TeethFirst!, free educational materials (brochures, posters, and PDFs) are available on our website. Anyone can access these materials, and order free hard copies. Thank you to the following practices and organizations that have shared our materials with their staff, patients, and clients over the past year!

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How Much Toothpaste Should I Put on my Child's Toothbrush?

Tue, 08/19/2014 - 10:41am — TeethFirst

When it comes to toothpaste, if some is good, more must be better, right? Actually, no!

Using the correct amount of fluoride toothpaste on a child's toothbrush is really important. Little mouths cannot handle all the bubbles and foam that a large amount of toothpaste can create. Small children could swallow or choke on the toothpaste. Swallowing too much toothpaste is not healthy. In order to make sure your child is using the correct amount of fluoride toothpaste, we have created a guide to help you decide how much to use for your child's age.

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Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

Mon, 08/04/2014 - 12:24pm — TeethFirst

Parents - we know! You're tired and you've got a lot of things to do. You're trying to fold some laundry or pay some bills when your child comes to you in need of a snack.

Many parents are tempted to hand their child an unhealthy snack because it's fast, easy, tastes good, and it makes them happy.

TeethFirst! wants you to know that there are many nutritious snack options that will help keep little tummies fuller for longer and little teeth free of cavities!

Why are sweet treats bad for my child's teeth?

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Are Pacifiers Good For Baby's Mouth?

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 3:14pm — TeethFirst

Paci, Binky, Nukie. Whatever cute name you and your child may have for it, chances are that a pacifier will be a part of every child's life at some point. Many parents and caregivers wonder if pacifiers can cause problems for baby's developing teeth and mouth. Today, TeethFirst! weighs in on this topic.

Why do babies use pacifiers?

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Strategies for Parents to Prepare Children for Dental Visits

Fri, 06/06/2014 - 1:07pm — TeethFirst

This blog posting is excerpted from the National Center on Health's Brush Up on Oral Health monthly e-newsletter.

What young children hear about the dentist affects their idea of what upcoming visits will be like. When children hear others talk negatively of the dentist, they may feel afraid of visiting the dentist or dental hygienist. Here are some tips to make sure your child has a happy first dental visit:

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Free Dental Care for Rhode Islanders - Rhode Island Mission of Mercy to Be Held on May 31-June 1, 2014

Tue, 05/27/2014 - 11:17am — TeethFirst

Written by: Deborah Fuller, DMD, MS

Regular dental visits provide a chance for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases for people of all ages. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to see a dentist, whether it’s because of a lack of dental insurance, the ability to time off from work, or simply not understanding that a healthy mouth is important to a healthy body.

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Teething Basics & Strategies for Parents Whose Babies Are Teething

Tue, 05/13/2014 - 11:21am — TeethFirst

This blog posting is excerpted from the National Center on Health's Brush Up on Oral Health monthly e-newsletter.

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Creating Healthy Brushing Habits: Advice From a Dental Hygienist

Thu, 04/17/2014 - 5:12pm — TeethFirst

Written by: Cynthia Johnson CDA,RDH,BS,MA

“It‘s time to brush your teeth!” This daily routine can be fun, yet challenging at the same time.

Many parents and caregivers know how hard it can be to get kids to brush their teeth. Here are some ways that you can make daily brushing and flossing an easy and fun habit!

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Great Books for Young Brushers!

Mon, 03/24/2014 - 1:47pm — TeethFirst

Reading to your child about teeth, brushing habits and visiting the dentist is a great way to help your child learn about having a healthy smile. Here are some of our favorite books that will help you inspire your child to take care of those little teeth.

Brush, Brush, Brush! by Alicia Padron (Ages 1 and up)

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