Your child’s teeth help with speech development, eating and appearance. So, it’s important that they are well cared for. Bacteria, sugary foods and improper teeth cleaning can all contribute to poor dental health. Start your child off with a good beginning! Help them learn about teeth through different experiences right here in Virginia Beach.

Find out more about teeth and what they are used for on a visit to the Virginia Aquarium. You and your child can learn that different animals have different size and types of teeth. They can touch and examine jaws with teeth from various animals and compare them. Do birds or fish have teeth? Can you find the big shark’s mouth?

At home, extend your child’s learning experience further. What sort of teeth do your pets have? No family pets? How about a visit to the local SPCA? When you visit, take a bag of pet food as a donation. Does a dog chew differently than a cat?

Chew on one of nature’s sugary snacks --- strawberries! Visit the Farmer’s Market and learn about nutritious foods like blueberries, blackberries and other seasonal fruits and vegetables. Purchase your favorites to take home for a sweet treat.

Visit the library and check out a book about teeth. Every culture has a version of the tooth fairy. What does she really do with all those teeth? Explore books, movies and more while discovering all about teeth.

Give your child a good start with regular dental checkups. If you are not sure where to go, ask your family dentist, a pediatric dentist, the Health Department or Kool Smiles. Good oral hygiene begins early; your teeth need to last a lifetime.​​