There is nothing more beautiful than a child's smile. But that beautiful smile needs your help. Good oral health is not an accident. If you, the parents, take action, you can keep your child's teeth healthy now and for years to come.
It isn't difficult. Follow the simple steps outlined here and your child can enjoy a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
Good oral health practices should begin in infancy and continue throughout adult life. In your child's early years, you must provide this care. Later you will need to instruct, monitor and motivate your child to help maintain good oral health habits.
And don't forget to take care of your own teeth. This is important not only for you, but also for your child. As a parent, you are the most important role model your child can have for learning healthy practices.

Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout your child's life.

• drinking fluoridated water at school
• taking prescribed fluoride tablets or drops
• fluoride application in the dental office
• brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• using a fluoride mouthrinse of children over age six

Sealants
Sealants are used to protect the chewing surfaces of the child's back teeth. These surfaces often decay because they contain pits and fissures---tiny grooves and depressions---where plaque accummulates.
Sealants are clear or shaded plastic materials that can be painted onto these decay-prone surfaces of the teeth. By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, the sealants keep plaque and food out of the crevices in the teeth, reducing the risk of decay.
Sealants should be applied as the permanet teeth erupt. Ask your dentist if your child can benefit from sealants.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion is a condition in which the teeth are crowded, crooked, and out of alignment with each other, Malocclusions can occur at any age, but they become particulary noticeable between the ages of 6 and 12, when the permanent teeth are coming in.

In some cases, malocclusions are inherited -- for example, the jaw may be too small for the teeth. In others, the malocclusion results from factors in the child's life, such as thumbsucking, dental injuries, or the early loss of primary teeth.

Whatever the cause, teeth that are crowded or out of position may be more difficult to clean. As a result, they are more likely to decay, and the gums more likely to become inflamed. This can affect the child's appearance.

General dentists and pediatric dentists try to prevent malocclusions. When necessary they may refer your child to an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatments of such problems. Some preventive orthodontic treatment starts as early as age 3 or 4. During the growth period, conditions such as tooth crowding may be corrected with an orthodontic appliance.

Overbite, receding lower jaw	Corrected overbite

 Tips for parents

• Take your child to see the dentist reqularly, beginning at six months of age.
• Put only water in a child's naptime or bedtime bottle.
• Start cleaning your child's mouth daily.
• Start brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts.
• Make sure your child gets the fluoride needed for decay-resistant teeth. Ask your dentist how this should be done.
• Brush and floss your child's teeth daily until the child can be taught to do this alone. Then encourage him or her to brush and floss.

 Costs:

     Filling with Composite Resin or Amalgam: 150,000 - 300,000 VND

    Tooth Extraction:                                     50,000 - 80,000 VND

    Sealants (per tooth):                               150,000 - 200,000 VND

    Fluoride Application:                               150,000 - 200,000 VND

    Prophylaxis and Fluoride Application:       150,000 - 200,000 VND

    Full mouth Cleaning and Polishing:           100,000 - 200,000 VND