Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health Pocket Guide National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
 
MIDDLE CHILDHOOD • 5–10 YEARS

Anticipatory Guidance

photo of girl brushing teethOral Hygiene (continued)

  • Becoming familiar with the normal appearance of your child’s gums and teeth so that you can identify problems if they occur (see Tooth Eruption Chart). Checking the child’s gums and teeth about once a month.
  • Giving the child fluoride supplements only as prescribed by a dentist or physician based on the risk of developing tooth decay and the known level of fluoride in the child’s drinking water (see Systemic Fluoride Supplements: Recommended Dosage).
  • Discussing with a dentist or other qualified health professional the need to apply fluoride topically (via varnishes, gels, foams), which renews the high levels of fluoride in the outer layer of the tooth enamel. Topical fluoride may be especially effective for children at high risk for tooth decay because they have a history of decay, are not exposed to fluoridated water, snack frequently on foods containing sugar, or have a medical problem that decreases their resistance to decay.
  • Discussing with a dentist or other qualified health professional the need to apply dental sealants (thin plastic coatings applied to pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of the teeth) to prevent tooth decay by creating a physical barrier against dental plaque, shortly after the teeth erupt.
  • Discussing with a dentist the need to schedule a visit to the orthodontist to have the child evaluated for braces.

Nutrition

  • Serving healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, grain products (especially whole grain), and dairy products (milk, cheese, cottage cheese, and unsweetened yogurt) for meals and snacks. Limit eating (grazing) in between.
  • Serving foods containing sugar at mealtimes only (not between meals), and limiting the amount. Frequent consumption of foods high in sugar, such as candy, cookies, cake, sweetened beverages (e.g., fruit drinks, soda), and fruit juice, increases the risk for tooth decay. In addition, frequent consumption of foods that easily adhere to the tooth surface, such as dried fruit, fruit-roll-ups, and candy, increases the risk for tooth decay. When checking for sugar, looking beyond the sugar bowl and candy dish. A variety of foods contain one or more types of sugar, and all types of sugars can promote tooth decay.
  • Encouraging the child to eat fruit rather than drink fruit juice.
  • If the child drinks beverages between meals, encouraging the child to drink water or milk rather than fruit juice or sweetened beverages (e.g., fruit drinks, soda).
  • If the school has vending machines, encouraging the child to choose water or milk rather than fruit juice or sweetened beverages (e.g., fruit drinks, soda).
  • Drinking fluoridated water (via a community fluoridated water source) to prevent tooth decay; for families that prefer bottled water, drinking a brand in which fluoride is added at a concentration of approximately 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L (ppm) is recommended.