The American Dental Association observes National Children’s Dental Health Month in February. Throughout the month-long national health observance, parents can get helpful ideas to maintain their child’s smile in addition to being reminded of the significance of oral health in children! Our dentists and staff are using this chance to discuss oral hygiene advice and stress the value of receiving children’s dental care at a young age.
When Should My Child See a Dentist?
An important question for new parents. Are you a new parent wondering when to take your child to the dentist? It’s never too early to start thinking about their dental health! According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentists, parents should establish a dental home for their child by the time they reach their first tooth or first birthday. During the first appointment, the dentist will perform a gentle mouth swab to examine the child’s gums and any erupted teeth. This is also an opportunity for parents or guardians to ask questions and discuss any dental concerns. By monitoring the child’s development during teething, dentists can take preventive measures if any problems arise with their baby teeth.
Protecting Your Child’s Teeth
The primary role of baby teeth is to make room for permanent teeth, which makes them highly crucial. They impact a child’s speech, eating, and, of course, smiling for a period of eight to ten years while they are in the mouth. Moreover, the state of a child’s overall health can be inferred from their baby teeth. This is because untreated tooth decay can lead to mouth infections that can spread to the bloodstream, causing a range of serious health issues. Despite regular brushing, bacteria that cause tooth decay can linger between teeth, inaccessible to a toothbrush. As such, it is essential for children to follow a comprehensive oral hygiene program. Parents must help children make flossing a regular component of their routine.
One major dental health risk for infants and young children under one year of age is baby bottle tooth decay. This happens when a child drinks sugary drinks, and the bacteria in their mouth break down the sugar to create acid. Over time, exposure to this acid can lead to tooth decay by attacking the enamel on infant teeth. This condition is worsened by drinks like fruit juice, soda, milk, formula, and other sweetened beverages. If your child must sleep with a bottle, water is the safest option.
Attention Parents: The Importance of Children’s Dental Health
Did you know that tooth decay in early childhood is more common than asthma, making it the most common chronic childhood ailment? According to the ADA, nearly 40% of children have experienced dental decay by the time they begin kindergarten. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental pain, which in turn makes children three times more likely to miss school. Pennsylvania is taking steps to combat this oral health crisis by requiring dental exams for all children before they start school and again in the third and seventh grades. However, it is important to note that small cavities can quickly develop into more significant issues if routine check-ups every six months and good oral hygiene practices are not established early on.
Ensuring Great Smiles for Your Little Ones: Our Pediatric Dentists’ Oral Health Tips
Our family dentists are passionate about serving patients during their crucial early childhood years. After finishing dental school, they undergo additional training to monitor early oral development in newborns and children. To help your children start the journey towards a lifetime of healthy smiles, we offer the following oral health advice:
- Schedule regular check-ups: Make an appointment as soon as possible if your child has not seen a dentist in over six months
- Clean your baby’s gums daily: After every feeding, gently massage the gums with a damp washcloth to eliminate harmful bacteria until the teeth erupt
- Brush your child’s teeth as soon as they appear: Start with the front tooth and use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste mixed with water
- Brush for two minutes twice daily: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children aged 2 to 6 and supervise children under the age of six as they brush
- Begin flossing when teeth touch: You can start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they touch
- Offer nutritious snacks: Avoid fruit snacks, sports drinks, fruit juice, and sticky candies. Instead, give your child low-sugar yogurt or cheese as calcium-rich snacks. If candy is a must, choose a chocolate bar over gummy or sticky candies that can linger in the teeth even after brushing
- Keep them hydrated: Stick to plain water instead of sugar-filled drinks. Water can rinse away any sugar or particles that cause cavities. Fluoride is present in many municipal water sources and has been recommended by organizations such as the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Dental Association as an effective way to prevent tooth decay. This year’s National Children’s Dental Health Month commemorates 75 years of water fluoridation. Replace the toothbrush every three to four months.
Our dental practice, Woodcreek Family Dental, is proud to be an active participant in community service. Our dedication to this cause is best demonstrated through our involvement with the “Give Kids a Smile” program. We strongly believe that every child deserves access to quality dental care, regardless of their circumstances. By offering free oral health services and supplies to underprivileged children, we hope to bring happiness and healthier smiles to those who need it most. To schedule a tour or request an appointment, please call us at (469) 278-7988 or visit our office at 410 FM 544 #103 Murphy, TX 75094.
