Promoting Oral Health

Oral health is critically important to the overall health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. It covers a range of health promotion and disease prevention concerns, including dental caries; periodontal (gums) health; proper development and alignment of facial bones, jaws, and teeth; other oral diseases and conditions; and trauma or injury to the mouth and teeth. Oral health is an important issue requiring continued health supervision from the health care professional.

Childhood caries is a preventable and transmissible infectious disease caused by bacteria (eg, Streptococcus mutans or Streptococcus sobrinus) that form plaque on the surface of teeth. The...