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Promoting Importance of Healthy Dental Habits for Children
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and a great time to discuss the importance of promoting good dental health habits for children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. But the good news is you can help put a stop to this before it even starts.
As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay or nursing mouth syndrome) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids, such as fruit juice, milk or formula, which all contain sugar.
It's important to ensure your child's teeth stay healthy, free of decay and other dental diseases. Educating young patients and parents alike is key because without proper preventive care, even baby teeth can decay causing:
- Gum and tooth pain
- Gum inflammation & gum disease
- Difficulty chewing food
You’ll want to make sure your child has his/her first dental visit by the time he/she is one year old or if they have a tooth prior to that age. From this point forward, you’ll want to begin scheduling regular bi-annual checkups, giving your child a good start to healthy teeth and gums.
In addition to scheduling regular dental check-ups and cleanings for your child, they must have a good daily oral care routine. You will need to assist them in their younger years and guide them to do the following as they age:
- You’ll need to brush their teeth twice a day when they are babies
- Teach them to brush twice a day when they get older
- Make sure they are brushing with fluoride toothpaste
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks
- Provide them with a healthy diet that promotes strong teeth and bones
At SIHF Healthcare, our dental team aims to provide the highest quality of oral healthcare to your child. For our dentists, the care they provide is more than simply fixing a dental problem. It is about educating patients and their parents on the importance of good dental care at home and proper oral hygiene practices. For more information about our dental services or to find a location near you, click here.