It is important for parents to serve healthy foods and drinks and promote good oral hygiene habits to keep children’s mouths healthy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and always. Here are tips for some simple things to do at home.
Eating Healthy Foods and Drinks
- Serve your child healthy foods that are low in natural and added sugar.
- Serve milk or tap (faucet) water with meals and snacks.
- Give your child a variety of healthy snacks, such as cheese and crackers, at scheduled times during the day.
- Give your child tap water several times a day.
- Avoid serving drinks that are high in natural or added sugar, such as fruit juice, fruit drinks, and pop/soda.
Practicing Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Brush your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
- For children under age 3, use a rice-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- For children ages 3 to 6, use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- After toothbrushing, rinse the brush and store it upright in a holder to air dry. Do not let toothbrushes touch each other.
- Do not share toothbrushes. Sharing toothbrushes can transfer disease-causing germs from one person to another.
- If anyone in the family is sick, keep their toothbrush away from everyone else’s toothbrushes. Replace the toothbrush after the family member is better.
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Resource Type: Publication
National Centers: Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Audience: Families
Last Updated: November 9, 2022