Kids' corner · Comic No 12
Clara takes care of her teeth
A comic to help children understand why we take care of our teeth, brush them well with an adult’s help and discover the visit to the dentist.
- 4 pages
- To read together
- Teeth
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Read the comic text in English
Page 1 — Why take care of my teeth?
1. They work every day
- The child: “My teeth are for crunching!”
- Clara: “Yes! They also help you chew and talk.”
2. A thin layer forms
- Clara: “Dental plaque is a sticky layer that forms on teeth. It contains bacteria.”
3. How does a cavity happen?
- Clara: “Some bacteria turn sugars into acids. These acids can damage the tooth and cause a cavity.”
4. My little actions count
- The child: “So I can help my teeth?”
- Clara: “Yes! Brushing and fluoride toothpaste help protect them.”
“I take care of all my teeth, even my baby teeth.”
Read together: what do your teeth do during your day?
Page 2 — My brushing mission
1. I get my brush ready
- Clara: “A soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.”
- The mother: “I’ll help you use the right amount for your age.”
2. Two minutes, morning and night
- Clara: “We brush for two minutes, at least twice a day, especially before bed.”
- The child: “The sand timer helps me take my time!”
3. I go all around my teeth
- The mother: “Small, gentle movements: outside, inside and on top, without forgetting the back teeth.”
- Clara: “We also gently brush the tongue.”
4. I spit out the extra
- Speech bubble: “I spit out the toothpaste without swallowing it. I don’t rinse my mouth after brushing.”
- The mother: “That way, the fluoride can keep protecting your teeth.”
“I brush gently and take my time.”
Read together: what helps you brush for two minutes?
Page 3 — A team every day
1. An adult helps me
- The child: “I’m done!”
- The mother: “Let’s check together. I’ll help you where it’s harder.”
2. Between the teeth too
- Clara: “Floss cleans between the teeth, where the brush can’t reach well.”
- The mother: “We do it every day. I’ll help you until you can do it on your own.”
3. Water, my choice when I’m thirsty
- Clara: “When you’re thirsty, choose water. Avoid sipping sugary drinks all day long.”
4. If a tooth bothers me
- The child: “This tooth hurts…”
- The mother: “Thank you for telling me. We’ll ask the dentist for advice.”
“I’m growing up, and I learn with help.”
Read together: when would you like an adult to help you?
Page 4 — I discover the visit to the dentist
1. Even when nothing hurts
- The child: “We go even when everything is fine?”
- Clara: “Yes. The dentist checks your mouth and can find problems before they hurt.”
2. I discover the instruments
- The dentist: “Hello! I’m the dentist. I’ll explain what we’re going to do.”
- The child: “What is this little mirror for?”
3. I can ask questions
- Text box: “The dentist examines the teeth, the gums and the rest of the mouth.”
- The child: “What if I need a break?”
- The dentist: “We can choose a sign so you can tell me.”
4. A plan for my teeth
- The dentist: “We choose the care and the next visit based on your needs.”
- The child: “Tonight, I’m back on my brushing mission!”
“I can understand, ask my questions and get support.”
Read together: what question would you like to ask the dentist?
Note: educational comic; fictional characters; does not replace a consultation. For a dental check-up or a toothache, see a dentist.
For parents: good to know
- Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria. When it stays on the teeth, its bacteria turn the sugars in food into acids that attack the tooth and can form a cavity. A child can get cavities as soon as the first tooth appears.
- The Government of Canada recommends a small soft-bristled brush and, from ages 3 to 12, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Before age 3, ask the dentist whether your child needs fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush for 2 minutes, 2 times a day, especially before bed. Brush the tongue and gums too. Teach your child to spit out extra toothpaste without rinsing, so the fluoride keeps protecting the teeth.
- From ages 3 to 6, the adult brushes the child’s teeth and shows them how. According to the Government of Canada, children can brush on their own once they can write their name in cursive; they still need guidance after that. Floss every day, with an adult’s help until about age 9.
- Between meals, choose water. The more often and longer sugary foods and drinks stay in the mouth, the higher the risk of cavities.
- The first dental visit should happen before age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth. The Ordre des dentistes du Québec then recommends a visit every 6 months, which the dentist may adjust after the exam: a cavity may not hurt at first.
- Baby teeth are used for chewing, speaking, smiling and guiding the permanent teeth.
Sources (in French): Government of Canada, Santé buccodentaire des enfants (modified June 11, 2026); Ordre des dentistes du Québec, L’ABC du brossage and L’examen dentaire (updated April 1, 2026); Government of Québec, À propos de la carie dentaire (updated August 28, 2023). Consulted on October 21, 2026.
Psst… a little secret from Clara
In the comics, Clara puts on her scrubs to tell the story of the care. In real life, Clara is the website's virtual assistant: the clinic's nurses and health professionals are the ones who provide care. Clara is here to guide you around the website!
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Clara's comics are intended to inform children and their parents. They do not replace a consultation or an assessment by a health professional. In an emergency, call 911. For health advice, call Info-Santé 811. Page published on October 21, 2026.