Dental Care for Children

Good dental health for children leads to good health overall. Having healthy teeth can help children eat, talk, and smile.

• It is important that your child’s teeth are brushed twice a day.
• Brush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes.
• Daily flossing should occur at least once a day.

 

You may need to assist your child to ensure their teeth are clean.

Dental problems can cause poor sleeping, trouble eating, and make it hard to pay attention in school and at home.

Check your child’s teeth at least once a month. Visit a dentist if you see ANY of these signs:

• Broken or chipped teeth
• Holes in their teeth
• Pain
• Swelling

Public Health assists children and youth to access dental care. Find out if your child can get FREE dental care by calling 519-426-6170 Ext 3293 or by emailing [email protected].

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Vision Care

Good eyesight is important for your child to be able to play and learn who cannot see well may have problems with reading, hand-eye coordination, and speech.

Your child may not tell you they have problems seeing because they have never had good vision. You may not notice your child is having problems with their eyes.

It is important for children to have an eye exam. A full eye exam by an optometrist (eye doctor) is the best way to make sure your child can see and that their eyes are healthy.

Visit an optometrist if you see ANY of these signs:

• Squinting or holding objects close to the eyes
• Blinking often
• Turning or tilting the head to the side to see
• Covering or closing one eye
• Eyes that are misaligned (look crossed, turn out, or don’t focus together)
• Tearing, itchy, or burning eyes
• Rubbing eyes excessively
• Reporting blurry or double vision
• Reporting headaches, nausea, or eye strain

An eye exam is FREE with an Ontario health card for children up to age 19.