Oral Health and Calcium
What is calcium?
Calcium is a mineral your body needs to help build strong bones and healthy teeth. Low-fat and fat-free milk and dairy products are especially good sources of calcium.
How does calcium help keep mouths healthy?
* Even before baby teeth and adult teeth come in, they need calcium. And after teeth come in, they continue to take in calcium so they can develop fully.
* Calcium makes gums healthy. Getting enough calcium as a young adult may help prevent gum disease later in life.
* Calcium makes jawbones strong and healthy too. Jawbones need to be strong - they hold the teeth in place!
How else can I help my child have a healthy mouth?
Besides teaching your children to drink milk and eat other calcium-rich foods, there are a number of ways you can help keep your child's mouth health. For example:
* Make sure your children brush with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride protects teeth from decay and helps heal early decay.
* Ask your child’s dental care provider or health care provider if there is fluoride in your town or city’s drinking water. If there is not, ask about fluoride tablets or drops for your child.
* Ask your child’s dental care provider about proper brushing and flossing techniques and other ways your tween and teen can make sure teeth stay healthy.
Institute of Child Health and Human Development
