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Oral Health Center

Boy with toothbrush

Did you know that a healthy mouth can lead to a healthy body?

Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood illnesses and can lead to other problems with the body as well. The good news is that it can be prevented.

Start early

Caring for your child's mouth starts before they get their first tooth. Learn more:

How to care for children's teeth

  • Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, wet cloth in the morning and bedtime.
  • Only use water in the bottle/sippy cup at bedtime.
  • Stop using bottles by age 1.
  • Visit the dentist by age 1 or when first tooth comes in around 6 months.
  • To avoid passing a bacteria that causes cavities, don’t share cups, straws, spoons, toothbrushes or lick pacifiers to clean them.
  • Brush for at least 2 minutes, 2 times a day (morning and bedtime).
  • Floss 1 time a day when teeth start touching. Help your child brush and floss their teeth until age 9.
  • Eat and drink healthy. Limit sugary snacks and drinks, including juice.

Find a dentist

If you're searching for a dentist, our family resource brochure is a quick and easy way to find low/no cost dental resources in Tarrant County and the surrounding areas.

Go Social!

Do you know of a parent or caregiver that you could share this information with?Please feel free to use our messaging below or create your own. To use our messaging, all you have to do is copy the messages we've provided below and insert the appropriate photo into whichever social media site you use. We do ask that you keep #healthymouthhealthybody in the message.

Social media messages to help us share

Did you know you can catch a cavity? Germs that cause cavities spread just like a cold or flu.
Prevent the spread of germs by not sharing drinks, food or toothbrushes. Licking a pacifier to clean it, blowing on your baby's food and letting baby put fingers in your mouth can also spread germs. #healthymouthhealthybody

 you can catch a cavity

Healthy eating and drinking = healthy mouth and body
Think of foods as Go, Slow or Whoa! Go = apple, black beans and water. Slow = applesauce, pretzels and 100% juice. Whoa! = apple pie, chips, fries and soft drinks. #healthymouthhealthybody

you can catch a cavity

Do you know when your baby should visit the dentist?
They should visit the dentist by age 1 or when the first tooth appears. Then, visit every 6 months after that, unless you notice brown or black spots. If you see these, visit right away. #healthymouthhealthybody

when baby should visit dentist

Make visiting the dentist a positive experience for your child.
Choose a dentist that is parent and child friendly. Avoid appointments close to nap, lunch or snack times. Read a book or watch a video with your child about visiting the dentist. #healthymouthhealthybody

 positive dentist experience

Did you know that baby teeth matter?
Children need healthy baby teeth to learn how to talk, chew food and hold a place for their permanent teeth. Healthy baby teeth help children learn in school without dental pain. #healthymouthhealthybody

baby teeth matter

A healthy mouth starts before your baby has teeth.
Wipe your baby's gums with a clean, wet cloth in the morning and bedtime. Only use water in the bottle/sippy cup at bedtime. #healthymouthhealthybody

before baby has teeth

Do you know the rules of 2?
Visit the dentist at least 2 times a year. Brush for 2 minutes, 2 times a day – morning and bedtime. #healthymouthhealthybody

 rules of 2

Protect your baby before they are born by taking care of your own oral health.
It can lower your baby's risk for tooth decay. Visit the dentist during your pregnancy. #healthymouthhealthybody

 take care of your oral health

Did you know it's safe and important to visit the dentist when you are pregnant?
Gum disease or tooth decay in pregnant women is linked to babies being born early or too small. Let the dentist know you are pregnant when you schedule your appointment. #healthymouthhealthybody

visit dentist during pregnancy

Download all social media graphics

What You Need to Know

Lo Que Necesitas Saber

Downloadable Posters

Here are some posters about oral health that you can download and print.

Baby teeth matter poster – English and Spanish

Healthy tips poster – English and Spanish

Oral health poster English and Spanish

You can catch a cavity poster English and Spanish

Our Commitment

Children's Oral Health Coalition

Cook Children's is committed to improving the health status of every child in the region which includes working collaboratively to prevent oral health disease. In 1999 the Children's Oral Health Coalition (COHC), led by the Community Health Outreach Department at Cook Children's, was formed to improve children's oral health for underserved children in our county through community collaboration.

Save a Smile

Save a Smile was founded by Cook Children’s in 2003 to provide thorough preventive and restorative dental care for children from low-income families with the help of volunteer dentists.

Oral Health News