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TeethFirst!

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First Dentist Appointment

Healthy teeth allow your baby to chew food and talk. They also help shape your baby’s face and hold space open for adult teeth to grow in—adult teeth are bigger than baby teeth, so they need lots of space. When you take care of your baby’s teeth by brushing at home and going for checkups at the dentist, dental visits become a way to prevent cavities instead of just treating them when they happen.

Brushing Together

Now your child has their first toothbrush, it’s time to make sure they know how to use it! Of course, they’ll have ideas on how they want to brush their teeth. It’s important to help guide them in the right direction, though. Fortunately, this is something the two of you should do together!

Here are a few ways that you both can be smart about healthy smiles together and learn a few good habits along the way – together:

Lost My First Tooth

It finally happened – they lost their first tooth!

As soon as your child’s teeth start coming in, you know the day is going to come when they smile wide and show off those adorable empty spaces. Their smile is changing before your eyes.

When your child’s first tooth falls out, they’ll have a lot of questions. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered! Here you’ll find some fun and useful facts that will guide you from their first loose tooth to their brand new smile:

My First Teeth

It's such an exciting moment when your baby flashes a smile and you see tiny, pearl-white teeth start to appear! Although the teething process can cause a baby to be fussy,  it signals an important moment in their growth and dental care. It also means the beginning of full, healthy smiles! Here are some really great tips for this big Smilestone:

The 2nd Smilestone - Teething Toddlers

The first step toward your baby's full, bright smile can be a bit of a pain. Literally! We're talking about Teething, of course.

Teething can start any time between ages 3 and 12 months. Most babies begin teething around the age of 6 months. As primary teeth come through, your baby might become cranky, drool more, not want to eat solid foods, have sore gums or swollen gums, and chew on things to ease the pressure from the tooth pushing through the gum.

The 1st Smilestone - Gummy Smiles

A healthy smile is a lifelong journey! As children grow and develop healthy smiles, we get to see – and celebrate! – these moments, called Smilestones. Beginning with healthy habits at home, to your child's changing smile and healthy dental care, Smilestones help highlight specific moments that you should be aware of as your child's teeth grow in. Think of it as a checklist to remind you of all of the healthy habits that guide your little ones on the road to bright, grown-up smiles.

TeethFirst! Announces Smilestones Campaign and Photo Contest for Spring 2017

TeethFirst!  - Rhode Island’s own initiative promoting early dental visits - is pleased to announce Smilestones – an online campaign to celebrate the moments in bright smiles and raise awareness about children's oral health. Smilestones will also be hosting a photo contest, which is a picture perfect opportunity for families to show off their little ones' smiles and healthy dental habits —all for the chance to win a $50 Gift Card!

Rhode Island Children and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

For many years, our state and federal leaders have made a big investment  in keeping kids healthy by increasing their access to health care coverage.

Building on the success of RIte Care (Rhode Island’s Medicaid and CHIP Program), the Affordable Care Act (ACA) further helped children gain access to high-quality, affordable, comprehensive health and dental coverage.

HealthSource RI Open Enrollment: Get Covered and Stay Covered!

Open enrollment for health and dental coverage through HealthSource RI ends January 31, 2017. HealthSource RI is Rhode Island’s health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. Health plans and dental plans are available.  Find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

How to Enroll

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TeethFirst! Creating healthy smiles for a lifetime.