Children's Dental Health Month

February is the month that American Dental Association sponsor National Children's Dental Health Month. It is a time to raise awareness about the importance of children's dental health. Childhood is the perfect time to develop good dental hygiene habits. Regular dental visits help children get a good start on lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Dentist, hygienists, health care providers, and educators come together to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, caregivers, teachers and others. It is important to protect our children teeth when they are unable to do so. Childhood tooth decay is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. We all know a child with asthma or hay fever so imagine how many children we may know that have bad teeth.

Were you aware that gum disease is contagious?? Parents can transfer the bacteria through saliva to children that they share a spoon with. This often leads to the hours of school that are lost each year due to dental issues. The CDC states more than 50 % tooth decay goes untreated in low income children

Tips for Ensuring Our Children Teeth are Cared for

Brush for two minutes, 2 times per day…with our kids.
Show them how to clean between teeth…FLOSS!
Limit sugary snacks & drinks between meals, eat healthy.
See the dentist regularly for family checkups, and ask them about sealants & fluoride.
Establish good dental hygiene habits early. When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using toothpaste when brushing his or her teeth.
When the gaps between children’s teeth close, it’s important to start flossing.
Serve as a good role model by practicing good dental hygiene habits ourselves.
Check our child’s mouth for the signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath.

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