Every February, dentists, pediatricians, teachers and parents across the United States focus on one topic: children’s teeth. National Children’s Dental Health Month is sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), and its message is simple. Healthy habits that start with the first tooth protect a child’s smile, comfort, speech and schoolwork for years. This guide explains where the observance comes from, why it matters, and what families can do at home and at the dentist all year long.
Key points
- The ADA sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month every February and offers free posters, activity sheets and classroom materials.
- According to the CDC, more than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one baby tooth.
- The first dental visit should happen by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth.
- Use a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste under age 3 and a pea-sized amount from age 3 to 6, twice a day for two minutes.
- Fluoride varnish and dental sealants prevent many cavities; Medicaid and CHIP cover dental care for eligible children.
Where National Children’s Dental Health Month comes from
The observance began as a single day in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, 1941. The American Dental Association held the first national observance on February 8, 1949, and in 1981 the single day grew into a month-long program. Today the ADA publishes a new theme and poster every year, together with free materials that anyone can download.
The materials are written for several groups at once:
- Teachers and school nurses use coloring pages, word puzzles and short lesson ideas to talk about brushing, snacks and dental visits in class.
- Dental offices run school visits, open days and screenings.
- Parents get practical tips and activity sheets they can use at home.
- Community groups and libraries use the posters and program planning guide to organize local events.
The month is a good reminder, but the habits it promotes matter on every other day of the year as well.
Why children’s teeth deserve attention
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby teeth, and more than half of teenagers aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in their permanent teeth. Children from lower-income families are about twice as likely to have untreated cavities as children from higher-income families.
Baby teeth are sometimes seen as unimportant because they fall out. In fact they hold space for the permanent teeth, help a child chew and speak clearly, and support a confident smile. Untreated cavities can lead to:
- pain and infections, sometimes with facial swelling
- problems eating, which can affect nutrition and growth
- trouble speaking clearly
- poor sleep and difficulty concentrating
- missed school days and lower school performance
Pain and embarrassment about visible decay can also affect how a child feels about themselves and how they get along with other children. Dental health and emotional well-being are more closely connected than many parents expect.
How teeth grow: a short timeline
- Around 6 months: the first baby teeth, usually the lower front teeth, come in.
- Around age 3: most children have all 20 baby teeth.
- Around age 6: the first permanent molars appear behind the baby teeth, and the front baby teeth begin to loosen.
- Around age 12 to 13: the second permanent molars come in. Most baby teeth have been replaced by then.
The first permanent molars are easy to miss because no baby tooth falls out to make room for them. They have deep grooves that trap food, which is why dentists often recommend sealants for them.
The first dental visit
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the ADA recommend that a child see a dentist by the first birthday or within six months after the first tooth appears, whichever comes first. This first visit is short. The dentist or hygienist checks the teeth and gums, looks for early signs of decay, explains how to clean a baby’s teeth and talks about feeding habits, pacifiers and thumb sucking.
Starting early has a second benefit: children get used to the dental office before they ever need a filling. For children who are anxious, or who have sensory sensitivities such as many children with autism, it helps to ask the office for a short “get to know us” visit, to bring a familiar toy and to use simple, calm words about what will happen. Some pediatric dentists offer quiet rooms or extra time for children who need it.
Brushing and cleaning at home
How much toothpaste to use
- Under age 3: a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice, starting with the first tooth.
- Age 3 to 6: a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Teach the child to spit out the extra and not to swallow it.
How to brush
- Brush twice a day, in the morning and before bed, for about two minutes.
- Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every three to four months or when the bristles fray.
- Clean between teeth once a day as soon as two teeth touch, using floss or a floss holder.
- Help with brushing until the child can do it well alone. Many children need an adult to brush or check their teeth until about age 7 or 8.
Before teeth come in, wipe a baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings. A two-minute timer, a song or a brushing chart can turn brushing into a routine that children accept.
Food, drinks and daily habits
Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acid that wears away tooth enamel. How often a child eats or drinks sugar matters as much as how much. A few practical rules:
- Offer water and plain milk as the main drinks. Keep juice, soda, sports drinks and sweet tea for rare occasions.
- Do not put a baby or toddler to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Liquids pooling around the teeth overnight cause “baby bottle tooth decay.”
- Avoid all-day sipping from a bottle or sippy cup filled with anything other than water.
- Choose snacks such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and plain yogurt instead of sticky candy and chips.
- Avoid sharing spoons or cleaning a pacifier in your own mouth, which can pass cavity-causing bacteria to the child.
- If your community water is fluoridated, tap water is an easy daily source of fluoride. Your local water utility can tell you whether it is.
What dentists and pediatricians can do
Fluoride varnish
Fluoride varnish is painted onto the teeth in a few seconds and hardens on contact with saliva. The AAP recommends it at least every six months, and as often as every three months for children at higher risk, starting when the first tooth comes in. Many pediatricians apply it during regular well-child visits. According to the CDC, fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third of cavities in baby teeth.
Dental sealants
Sealants are thin protective coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most cavities in school-age children begin. The CDC reports that sealants prevent about 80% of cavities for two years and continue to protect against about half of cavities for up to four years. School-age children without sealants have almost three times as many cavities as children with sealants. Many schools run sealant programs, often in cooperation with local health departments.
Regular checkups
Most children see the dentist about every six months, though the dentist may suggest a different schedule based on the child’s risk. Checkups catch early decay while it can still be treated simply.
Protecting teeth during sports and play
Falls and sports injuries are a common cause of chipped or knocked-out teeth. A mouthguard is a good idea for contact sports such as football, hockey, basketball and soccer. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, not the root, rinse it briefly if it is dirty, and try to put it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Then see a dentist right away. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, but the child should still see a dentist.
Paying for children’s dental care
Dental care is a covered benefit for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Families can check eligibility at InsureKidsNow.gov or by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669). Community health centers offer dental care on a sliding fee scale in many areas, and dental schools often provide lower-cost care for children.
Ideas for the month at home and in class
- Use the ADA’s free activity sheets and posters for a classroom lesson or a family evening.
- Let children compare sugar content on drink labels and build a “smart drinks” chart.
- Start a two-week brushing calendar with a sticker for every morning and evening.
- Read a children’s book about a visit to the dentist before the next checkup.
- Schedule the next dental visit for every child in the family, if one is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my child first see a dentist?
By the first birthday or within six months after the first tooth appears, according to the AAP and the ADA. Early visits are short and help children feel comfortable at the dentist.
How much toothpaste should a young child use?
A smear the size of a grain of rice for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for children aged 3 to 6. Brush twice a day for about two minutes and help until the child can brush well alone.
Do baby teeth really need fillings if they fall out anyway?
Yes. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and infection and make eating, speaking and sleeping harder. Baby teeth also hold space for the permanent teeth, so the dentist will usually recommend treatment.
Does insurance cover children’s dental care?
Medicaid and CHIP include dental benefits for eligible children. Many private health plans offer separate dental coverage, and community health centers provide care on a sliding fee scale.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your child’s dentist or pediatrician.
