The U.S. Surgeon General has acknowledged the fact that oral health plays an integral part in overall health and well-being throughout life. The month of February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a time to highlight the need for good oral health practices for children. Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are extraordinarily common in children, even though effective preventive tools exist. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections and lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning.
In furtherance of the goal of preventing oral disease, Alabama’s Oral Health Office launched National Children’s Dental Health Month by announcing the two third-grade winners of the ninth annual statewide 2026 “Share Your Smile With Alabama” photo contest. The award-winning boy-and-girl pair are promoting oral health and emphasizing the need for education and care, including brushing twice daily, flossing, and regular dental visits.
Good habits start early. To give a child the best possible start to oral health, a mother should first care for her own mouth during pregnancy. After the baby’s birth, the next steps are to wipe the baby’s gums after each meal and avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle. Baby teeth need care early, so schedule the baby’s first dental visit by the first birthday or after the first tooth appears. To protect and maintain children’s teeth, start by brushing their teeth twice daily with a soft, small-bristle toothbrush and water. For children younger than 2 years, consult with your dentist or doctor about when to start using fluoride toothpaste. Children should limit sugary drinks, eat nutritious food, and see the dentist for regular checkups.
Lack of preventive care early in life leads to a greater need for oral health care later in life. Fluoridated water helps rebuild tooth enamel and protect teeth from decay. Another effective tool for children is dental sealants. Sealants are a quick, easy, and painless way to prevent most cavities in the permanent back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur. Children aged 6 to 11 without sealants have almost three times as many first-molar cavities as children with sealants. Parents are encouraged to ask their child’s dentist to apply sealants when appropriate and to participate if their child’s school offers a sealant program.
Tooth decay can lead to cavities. More than 20 percent of children aged 2 to 5 have at least one cavity in their baby teeth. More than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby teeth, and more than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.
Many adult Alabamians lack access to dental education and care, with long-term consequences including the progression of chronic disease and impacts on employment and quality of life. Last June, the Oral Health Office played an instrumental role in recruiting volunteer dental professionals and assessing patients at Alabama's second Remote Area Medical (RAM) event. RAM is a nonprofit organization that hosts pop-up health clinics to provide dental, medical, and vision care at no cost to patients. Dental services for adults include cleanings and extractions. Approximately 500 patients were treated, and the clinic's success has led to a third event being scheduled in Montgomery for this April.
Not only does a healthy smile boost a child’s self-confidence, but good oral health care is essential to overall health and well-being. As with many aspects of life, attitudes and habits established during childhood can last a lifetime.
More information about children’s oral health is available on the Office of Oral Health website.
Scott Harris, M.D., M.P.H.
State Health Officer