Preventative Oral Health Care For Children

Did you know that dental disease (i.e. cavities, gum disease, etc.) is the most common childhood disease? To put it in perspective, it is five times more common that asthma.

Here are some other startling statistics:

• More than half of 3^rd graders in Minnesota have cavities (tooth decay)
• The national average for children ages 6 to 8 with tooth decay is 53 percent
• US students miss a total of as many as 51 million hours of school each year because of dental problems 

Are you wondering how you can prevent cavities and other dental problems for your child? Here are some easy preventative measures to take:

1. Help your child brush at least twice a day
2. Help your child floss once a day
3. Prepare healthy snacks and drinks
4. Visit the dentist as early as one year old
5. Bring your child in for regular checkups every 6 months
6. Get protective sealants on your child’s teeth to prevent cavities.
7. Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride and use fluoride toothpaste (especially if your tap water does not contain fluoride!)

Tips for Good Dental Hygiene in Young Children

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of American children 2 to 5 years old, and half of children 12 to 15 years old. That is more than any other chronic infectious disease.

Your child’s oral health heavily contributes to their overall health. Bad oral health can lead to problems that affect not only their teeth but also their performance in school, eating, speaking, playing, and learning.

Promoting oral health to your children is important. Follow these dental care tips early on their life to prevent future problems later in their life:

1. Make brushing their teeth a daily routine. As a young child, the last thing they probably want to do when they wake up or before they go to bed is brush their teeth. But the more you make this a routine, the more likely they’ll continue to take care of their teeth later in life.

2. Make brushing their teeth fun! One of the best ways to promote dental hygiene in young children and prevent tooth decay is to get them enthusiastic about daily oral hygiene. Make it fun! Get them a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character on it or a fun flavored toothpaste such as bubblegum or strawberry. Choosing a toothpaste and toothbrush that your child will like and want to use can help make the process a whole lot easier!

3. Begin gentle flossing whenever two of their teeth begin touching. This isn’t an easy job with little ones but even if you don’t have great success, don’t give up. Every little bit helps.

Tip: Small dental floss picks may be easier to use with small children.

4. Remember that candy and sweets aren’t the only foods that can cause tooth decay. Limit the use of fruit juices and sticky foods such as cereal bars, which can stay on teeth for long periods of time.

5. Visit a dentist regularly. Getting your child into the dentist early will help them feel comfortable in the dentist’s office as opposed to being scared every time they have a dental appointment. Dentists can also help with preventive oral care in children such as sealants on children’s teeth, a protective coating to keep bacteria out and prevent cavities.

What To Expect At Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Bringing your child to the dentist for a check-up is an important first step in ensuring healthy teeth and gums for your child in the future!

You might be wondering, how old should my child be the first time I bring him or her to the dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a dentist see an infant by the age of 1 or within six months after his or her first tooth comes in. It may seem young, but your child’s first dental appointment will involve very little dental work or treatment!

What To Expect

This initial visit will give your child (and you) the opportunity to meet the dentist in a non-threatening, friendly way. We all know the dentist can create anxiety, especially in a small child, so it’s important that a relationship is built between your child and the dentist on this first appointment.

This first visit will involve a review of their oral health history, an assessment of their current oral health, instructions for proper cleaning techniques, and scheduling follow-up visits.

What To Prepare

Be prepared to know the development of your child’s teeth. Record when teeth came in, how many teeth you’ve noticed, your child’s teething habits, etc. Write a list of any questions or concerns you may have so that you can identify any potential oral health issues you might experience with your child.

What To Bring

Does your child have a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket they can’t part with it? Bring it! It will help them feel more comfortable and adapt to an unfamiliar environment! Also bring any toothbrushes you are currently using so your dentist can advise you on whether or not they’re appropriate and to provide technique tips/directions.

Parents will also be asked to complete medical and health information forms concerning the child. Come prepared with the necessary information and documents!

Topics To Discuss on the First Visit:

·      Good oral hygiene practices for your child’s teeth and gums

·      Cavity prevention

·      Fluoride needs

·      Oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking)

·      Developmental milestones

·      Teething

·      Proper nutrition

·      Schedule of dental checkup visits.

Food & Drinks That Are Bad For Your Teeth

Soft Drinks

You probably think that soft drinks are on this list because of the sugar they contain. Actually, it’s the high acid content. The corrosive acids in soft drinks- diet or not- strip away the enamel on your teeth.

Interestingly, clear, citrus-flavored bubbly beverages dissolve enamel two to five times more than darker sods.

Sour Candy

Can’t resist that bag of Sour Patch Kids when you go to the movies? You might want to rethink your candy choice. Sour candies have a different kind of acid compared to regular chewy candy or hard candy that can create deeper craters in your tooth enamel.

Tea & Coffee

That morning cup of Joe that gets you through the day could be wreaking havoc on your teeth. Tea and coffee permeate your tooth enamel, causing your teeth to develop brown stains. If you drink coffee and tea regularly, you might want to think about whitening solutions or brushing your teeth after each cup.

Carbs

It seems carbs aren’t just bad for your waistline. Foods that contain sugars and starches, aka carbohydrates, fuel the bacteria in your mouth which produce the acid that destroys you tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay, cavities, and a multitude of other problems.

Solutions?

-Drink water regularly throughout the day to wash away bacteria-producing food to prevent decay.

-Chew sugarless gum. Not only will it curb your sweet tooth cravings but it will increase your saliva production which helps wash away acids that can harm your tooth enamel.