Oral health is a key part of your child’s overall health and well-being.
When your child enters junior kindergarten, they will have about 20 primary (baby) teeth. Soon after, your child will experience mobile (wiggly) teeth. Around age 6, permanent adult front teeth will begin to come in and replace the fallen baby teeth, but some may experience it sooner or later.
Around the same age, their permanent adult first molars will begin to come in. These do not replace any primary (baby) teeth. This is a good opportunity for you to show and observe your child brushing all the way to the back of their mouth so that food or plaque are not missed on the new molars. This is a common area for cavities.
Here are some oral health tips:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes
- Floss once a day
- Help your child brush and floss until approximately the age of seven
- Visit the dentist/dental hygienist regularly
- Eat healthy foods
If you have concerns about your child’s oral health, schedule an appointment for your child to see a dentist.
Need help paying for dental care?
Halton Region Public Health can provide information and assist families with applying to government dental financial assistance programs including the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program (external link) and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (external link). For further information, visit Financial Assistance for Dental Treatment or call 311.