At a young age, children need to be taught how to keep their mouth nice and clean. Tooth decay is the single most common infectious disease affecting U.S. children (pdf). If your child never picks up the bacteria that eat away at their teeth, they could possibly be cavity-free all their life.

Good oral health always begins with parents teaching their children how to brush and why they need to brush. There are many good books that can help you in teaching your child good oral habits. Here’s a list of our favorite books. Check them out from your local library this week! 

1) Brushing Well (Dental Health) by Helen Frost – Helps transition your child into brushing their own teeth. It includes illustrations and is written for a child to begin brushing on their own.

2) I Know Why I Brush My Teeth (Sam’s Science) by Kate Rowan & Katharine McEwan – This is a good book for your older, curious child who asks, “Why do I need to brush my teeth?” It contains a lot of facts about oral health, and also a lot of Sam’s jokes.

3) My Tooth Is About To Fall Out by Grace Maccarone and Betsy Lewin – This is a great book if your child is close to losing a tooth. It helps them understand why their tooth is going to fall out and what will happen after it’s gone.

4) Barney Goes To The Dentist by Publishing Lyrick – Read this book to your child before their first dental visit. The familiar Barney character could help reduce their fear.

There are a variety of great oral health books out there. Remember, it’s your responsibility to teach your child about the importance of brushing and flossing. These books can also help make it fun!