February is full of holidays and awareness campaigns—Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, and Heart Health Month. But here at Smiles for Miles Dentistry, our favorite February focus is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Let’s take a moment to highlight how important it is to care for children’s teeth—from baby gums to growing smiles.

Babies and Toddlers

Good oral care starts from day one. Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, you can clean their gums using soft dental wipes or a damp washcloth. This helps remove bacteria and soothe teething discomfort.

When teeth begin to come in, it’s time to introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants.

Tips for toddler brushing:

Let your child hold the toothbrush to develop motor skills
Supervise brushing to ensure a thorough clean
Take turns—let your child go first, then finish the job yourself

Early dental habits make a difference! If you’re wondering when to schedule your child’s first visit, we recommend seeing our pediatric dental team by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting.

Make Brushing and Flossing Enjoyable

Some kids are eager to brush. Others need motivation. Here are a few creative ideas that can make dental care fun:

Sing a song: Choose a two-minute song to match brushing time. There are great videos online to keep kids engaged.
Read a book: Visit your library for age-appropriate stories about oral health. Reading before brushing encourages kids to act out what they learn.
Play copycat: Let your child mimic your brushing and flossing technique. It turns hygiene into a fun game and builds good habits by example.

School-Aged Children and Beyond

As children grow, they’ll take more responsibility for their daily routine. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook—just like checking homework, it’s important to verify that they’re brushing and flossing correctly.

Some tips for this stage:

Do a quick check after they brush
Encourage a consistent morning and bedtime routine
Offer positive reinforcement to keep up their progress

Don’t forget to reinforce these habits with biannual dental visits. Schedule your child’s check-up with Dr. Salm and our team to ensure their smile stays on track.

Let’s Celebrate Healthy Smiles Together

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, we invite you to share your own creative ways of encouraging dental care at home. Post your favorite brushing songs or routines on our Facebook page.

At Smiles for Miles Dentistry, we’re proud to support families in Brookfield and surrounding communities with compassionate, kid-friendly care. Let’s make healthy smiles a lifelong habit—starting now.