We’re Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month!

The American Dental Association celebrates National Children's Dental Health Month in February. This month-long observance helps reinforce the importance of oral health in children in addition to helping parents keep their child's smile in excellent health. When it comes to a child's dental health, every day counts!

Prioritize your family's healthy teeth and gums to instill new, healthy habits and help everyone achieve better dental checkups in 2022. 

Cavities Are Entirely Preventable In Children

It may not always seem like it, but cavities are entirely preventable. Left untreated, minor tooth decay can lead to significant health issues. Constant pain, discomfort, and infections can lead to problems with your child's development, including eating, speaking, and learning.

How does your family measure up when it comes to these children's dental health statistics?

• Roughly 1 in 5 children ages 5 to 11 years old has at least one untreated cavity.
• 1 in 7 adolescents ages 12 to 19 has at least one untreated cavity.
• Children ages 5 to 19 from low-income families are twice as likely (25%) to have cavities than those from higher-income households. 

Fluoride Adds an Extra Layer of Protection Against Decay 

As parents, there are a few valuable tips and tricks that can be used to keep your little one's teeth healthy and cavity-free. One of the easiest parent hacks for preventing cavities and keeping tooth enamel strong is by using fluoride. Protect your child's teeth with the help of fluoride by using:

Toothpaste With Fluoride 

• For children younger than 6, oversee them and teach them the proper use of toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste should never be ingested, so help to teach your kids that toothpaste is made to spit out rather than swallowed. 
• For children under the age of 2, it's not recommended to use toothpaste with fluoride as an ingredient, as children at this age do not fully understand that toothpaste is not to be swallowed. 

A Fluoride Varnish

As soon as your child's first tooth appears in their mouth, it's recommended to have a fluoride varnish applied to the surface of your child's teeth. This varnish will help protect their teeth and enamel from early tooth decay when brushing isn't always an easy task.

This varnish can be applied by your pediatrician, family doctor, nurse, or dentist.

Drinking From the Tap 

Tap water contains a safe amount of fluoride meant to help strengthen teeth while staying hydrated. Encouraging your little ones to drink water helps to keep them healthy and hydrated. 

Fluoride Supplements

If your drinking water is filtered and not fluoridated from the tap, ask your child's dentist, family doctor, or pediatrician if your child could benefit from the use of oral fluoride supplements. These supplements are available in many different forms, including drops, tablets, or lozenges. 

Fluoride Sealants

Talk to your dentist about dental sealants that can help prevent cavities on the biting surfaces of your child's back teeth for many years. The use of sealants successfully prevents 80% of cavities in children. 

 How to Encourage Better Brushing and Flossing

Pediatric dentists recommend parents follow the "tell, show, do" model when teaching their kids the proper way to brush their teeth.

Tell. Explain to your child how to brush and floss and how these actions help keep their teeth healthy.

Show. Brush and floss your teeth alongside your child, so they can watch and learn from you.

Do. Help your kids brush and floss their teeth in the morning and before bed. Keeping a routine will help instill proper oral hygiene routines. 

Continue to help your child brush their teeth until age 5, and keep brushing and flossing a supervised activity until your child is at least 8.

Encourage Healthy Food Choices 

Getting your kids to eat a healthy, balanced diet is no simple task. What your children eat and drink has a significant impact on their overall health - including oral health. When it comes to kids, presentation is everything, so present healthy foods in fun ways. 

Great kid-friendly snack options that are great for your child's teeth are:

• Raw, crunchy vegetables like carrot sticks or celery and peanut butter.
• Fresh fruits like slices of strawberries or an apple and peanut butter.
• Yogurt with fresh berries.
• Cheese cut into fun shapes or shredded to encourage creativity. 
• Hard-boiled eggs.
• Smoothies that taste sweet but pack a big health punch.

Practice good oral hygiene habits at home with your kids, and don't forget to schedule professional cleanings twice a year to help prevent tooth decay and other dental issues from the start. February is a great month to book your child's first dental wellness checkup, so contact Elite Dental & Denture PC today to schedule their first exam of 2022.