National Dental Hygiene Month

Articles

Oct 1

During the month of October, kids who celebrate Halloween are usually anticipating the close of the month — particularly what their candy haul might look like come November 1. With the expected sugar on the horizon, we’re highlighting an important focus for the month of October: National Dental Hygiene Month.

Good dental hygiene is so important for your child’s overall health. The habits that you form as a child can carry on throughout life regarding personal hygiene and dental hygiene. There are things you can focus on to help dental hygiene become an easy and regular part of each day for your children.

As a child’s teeth develop, there are different routines and different things to focus on through each of the stages of development.

For Infants

With babies, good oral hygiene concerns the gums before any of their teeth appear. Decay can be caused by any kind of bacteria, so wiping the gums of your infant after any feeding can help remove any existing bacteria.

Once teeth appear, you can begin brushing twice a day with toothpaste. Check with your child’s doctor about what the best kind of toothpaste to use will be for your child and whether you should use fluoride.

Baby bottle tooth decay can be avoided by taking the bottle away from your child once they have finished drinking. Sometimes children fall asleep with their bottle or drink from their bottle for longer periods of time. The sugars or other ingredients can cling to their teeth and potentially cause decay.

For Kids Ages 3+

As primary teeth come in, it is best to start the routine of brushing twice per day. Most kids get their first teeth with gaps in between, which is typical. As more teeth come in and they start touching each other, the flossing routine should begin.

Kids will lose their teeth beginning around age six, and continue to gain their permanent teeth and lose baby teeth until they are in their teens. As they get more and more teeth, make sure to brush together to make sure they are focused on brushing teeth in harder to reach spots and spending at least two minutes brushing.

For Preteens

For permanent teeth, the earlier you can develop a strong and healthy dental hygiene routine, the more impact it will have in the future. Preteens may become disinterested in the importance of dental hygiene, but as they become more aware and conscious of their appearance, dental hygiene becomes more important.

Teens also should be aware of protecting their teeth when playing sports or engaging in activities that could potentially cause damage. Many preteens and teens also wear braces, which require attention to dental care to avoid discoloration. Your dentist and orthodontist can recommend the best cleaning practices for your individual case.

Habits to Keep

As with any age, developing your routine and regular habits around dental hygiene is the key to maintaining good dental health. During this time of added sugars, it might be the perfect way to check in on your routines to see if any areas need some attention. Here are a few things to check in with to feel good about your family’s dental care routine:

Regular Checkups

Wellness checkups and regular cleanings help you have peace of mind that there is not any decay already happening. Cavities are very common with kids, and the CDC states that there is untreated tooth decay in approximately 20% of kids ages 5-11. Your pediatric dentist can recommend the best options like a fluoride varnish or dental sealants for cavity prevention, but regular brushing can also prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Sugar in Moderation

Sugary drinks can be the culprit for many cavities or dental decay. Many parents forget that juice and juice drinks have sugar in them and can leave the same bacteria behind on kids’ teeth. Especially after consuming any sugar or sugary treats, kids should get in the habit of brushing their teeth to avoid tooth decay or cavities — and more trips to the dentist!

Transitioning from Bottles & Sippy Cups

Kids can tend to attach themselves to their bottles or their sippy cups. If used for too long, they can change the shape of teeth and their alignment and deposit bacteria on the front teeth when used for long periods of time. Talk with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist about the right time to transition from bottles or sippy cups.

Positive Reinforcement

A great way to keep on track is to create a positive energy around dental hygiene practices. If you practice these habits yourself as a parent, you can encourage your kids to do the same because you approach it in a positive way.

If your kids respond well to tracking habits on a chart, make a dental chart and give them a star for brushing in the morning and evening to help them feel encouraged to keep it up.

Because sugary treats and candy can be unavoidable during the holiday seasons, it is best to develop a strong routine so everyone can stay on track. Create these habits early and with a positive attitude so it is easy to maintain over time and through the stages of your child’s development. Even with a (temporary) increase in candy intake after Halloween, you and your family can stick to a healthy dental hygiene routine. Talk to your kids about the importance of brushing and how sugar impacts their teeth and help them keep their smile healthy and bright!