February is observed as National Children’s Dental Health Month, a month focusing on the importance of promoting good oral health habits among children and raising awareness about the significance of dental care.
Good oral hygiene is an essential habit for a child to learn at a young age. Teaching children good oral health habits such as regularly brushing their teeth, flossing, rinsing, and attending dentist appointments can help them grow up with healthy mouths.
These habits can help prevent them from developing cavities. Cavities are the most common chronic disease of children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of children six to eight years old have had a cavity in at least one of their baby teeth. Additionally, more than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.
If cavities go untreated, they can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning.
Fortunately, cavities are preventable. According to the CDC, fluoride varnish can prevent 33% of cavities in baby teeth. Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer cavities than children whose water is not fluoridated. Additionally, children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have fewer cavities.
The CDC also notes that dental sealants can prevent cavities for many years as well. Applying dental sealants to the back teeth prevents 80% of cavities.
There are several ways that parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of or prevent babies and children from developing cavities, including:
- Babies
- Wipe their gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after their first feeding and right before they go to bed. This wipes away any bacteria or sugars that can cause cavities
- When teeth come in, start brushing them twice a day with a soft, small-bristle toothbrush and plain water
- Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot any signs of problems early
- Talk to your dentist or healthcare provider about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears
For children two years or younger, consult with your healthcare provider or dentist about the use of fluoride toothpaste.
- Children
- Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Help your child brush their teeth until they develop good brushing skills. If your child is younger than six years old, watch them while they brush, and make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out instead of swallowing it
- Ask your child’s dentist to apply dental sealants when appropriate
- Drink tap water that contains fluoride
It is important that your child regularly visits a dentist to ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.
If you would like to learn more about cavity prevention for your child, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Dental Medicine. Please call (718) 670-5521.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.