Children's Dental Health

Articles

Feb 1

The American Dental Association promotes National Children’s Dental Health Month during the month of February. During this month, professionals and healthcare providers in the industry aim to provide and promote the benefits and impact of good oral health for children. We aim to help parents understand how to maintain good oral health for their children with resources and aids to provide further guidance. Childhood tooth decay is now the most common childhood disease, affecting nearly 40% of children before they reach school-age.

Maintaining Childhood Oral Health

Good oral health starts with the first tooth. As soon as your child gets their first tooth or has their first birthday, you should schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist. During the teething process, your child’s dentist can monitor the progression of teeth as they emerge and identify any issues early.

Baby Teeth

Your child’s teeth will typically begin to erupt through the gums at about six months of age and fall out at varied rates. Although baby teeth are temporary, keeping them healthy and in the correct position is key to healthy teeth as an adult. Baby teeth will affect how your child speaks, eats, smiles, and can be an indicator of their overall health. Poor nutrition in children is apparent in the state of their teeth. As teeth decay, they also can create bacteria that leads to disease and illness when it becomes present in the bloodstream. Daily brushing is an important step to take, but flossing ensures you get the hardest to reach places in the mouth.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

A preventable issue, baby bottle tooth decay can happen for a number of reasons, one of which is exposure to sugar. To avoid this altogether, stick to formula and milk in the bottle only. When a child falls asleep with a bottle, it can also provide the perfect scenario for bacteria to begin to form in the mouth. Ensure proper dental hygiene by brushing gums and teeth every day for all ages. A small amount of fluoride toothpaste will help prevent tooth decay at an early age.

Cavities

Tooth decay is often due to cavities. Children are more likely to get cavities if they consume a lot of sugary food and drink, have a family history of tooth decay, wear braces, or have special needs. Try to avoid any snacks or treats that have added sugars. Instead, focus on providing snacks that are good sources of calcium. Consider switching out gummy candy for something less likely to stick in your child’s teeth even after brushing. One of the most common culprits of extra sugar in a child’s diet is sugary fruit juices and drinks. Swap the sugar for water to help your child start a good habit.

Learning How to Brush

Most children need support in order to learn about how they can take care of their teeth. Start by monitoring them when they begin to brush their own teeth so you can ensure they are not swallowing the toothpaste, spending adequate time, and understanding the action of brushing properly. There are so many ways to make brushing your teeth fun! If your child enjoys music, let them choose a song that you turn on when it is time to brush their teeth. You can also find videos and apps which help your child follow along and make the activity more fun. Giving your child their choice of toothbrush and toothpaste can also help them have more of a desire to stick to their routine. Rewarding good behavior with a habit tracker or sticker chart can also be an encouraging way for your child to stay on track and feel accomplished.

Give Kids a Smile

Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) is a national program that started in 2002 and was created to serve children without access to dental care. The program has evolved to provided education, preventative care, treatment, screenings, and more to over 300,000 children in need every year. So far, GKAS has served over six million children. Volunteer dentists and dental specialists provide their services at local events all throughout the year, starting in February each year. The program aims to “ensure access to quality oral healthcare for all children.” GKAS was recognized in 2003 by the American Dental Association to have great potential to impact children in need of dental care in such a big way.

Looking for guidance for maintaining your child’s oral health? Talk to your child’s therapist and healthcare professionals about your concerns and how to incorporate a healthy routine at home. If you have specific concerns such as thumbsucking or problems related to using a pacifier, your therapist can help address the needs underlying these issues. Often, behavioral issues like anxiety or a need of comforting are the reason a child sucks their thumb and your occupational therapist can help provide guidance and a treatment plan for any prolonged issues.