In 1981, National Children’s Dental Health Month was established with the primary goal of instilling lasting oral hygiene habits in children. Good oral health and dental hygiene is essential because it can prevent decay and infection. However, like most things, people don’t know how critically important it is to take care of their teeth unless they’re taught. That’s why it’s so essential that children receive the proper education and support when they’re young.
So, this year, during National Children’s Dental Health Month, consider how you can serve as a dental advocate for the little ones in your life.
The Importance of National Children’s Dental Month
Cavities are one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children. The majority of children have had at least one cavity in their baby teeth by the time they reach 6 to 8. The number doesn’t improve when adolescents start over with their adult teeth. The majority of 12 to 19-year-olds also have at least one cavity.
When children learn early about good oral hygiene habits, they’re able to prevent many issues in their teeth in later life. These habits are as simple as learning how to brush their teeth and when to floss. Education is the goal of National Children’s Dental Month, and anyone who is around children can and should be part of spreading this message.
How to Celebrate National Children’s Dental Month
Join us in celebrating National Children’s Dental Month! This is a great opportunity for all kids to learn about oral hygiene. Anyone can be a dental advocate whether they’re a parent, teacher, hygienist, etc.
- Schedule a dentist appointment
When was the last time you went to the dentist? Have your kids been yet? If nothing more, this is a great month to remind you to get back in the dentist’s chair. Call your dentist and see when they can fit you in.
Many times, parents will focus on taking care of their kids. They’ll make sure their kids go to the dentist, but they’ll never go themselves. However, modeling behavior is an amazing way to teach your children. You can lead by example and show them the way.
Additionally, kids should be going to the dentist every 6 months. However, when should you start taking your child to the dentist? Most parents get this wrong. They think they should take their kid when they’re able to sit still in the dentist’s chair, but they should actually take them at the earliest of the two dates: 1) the date at which your child’s first tooth appears or 2) your child’s first birthday.
This often shocks people because babies can get teeth as early as 5 or 6 months. While this may seem unnecessary, remember that 1 in 5 American children between the ages of 2 and 5 have cavities. Taking your child to their first dentist visit early can help get them off on the right foot. Research shows that for every year past a child’s first birthday that parents delay that first dental appointment, the child’s risk of tooth decay doubles.
Needless to say…take your kids to the dentist! Call today and book those appointments.
2. Teach your kids about dental hygiene
Dental hygiene should be a constant conversation in your house. After all, it’s something that your children should grow up to do every single day for the rest of their lives. They won’t get it overnight, but they can begin to understand it and remember it if you’re consistent.
Here are the basics that you can teach children:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride
- You’ll want to help children younger than 6 with this task to make sure they have good brushing skills
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and spit out the toothpaste while brushing your teeth
- Floss daily
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride
Flossing can be tricky for kids, but it will only get easier as they practice. Help them start with about 18 inches of floss. They should then wrap the floss around the middle or index finger on each hand. Show them how to guide the floss between their teeth and curve it around the tooth under the gum line.
3. Do fun dental-related activities
The dentist can be scary for kids, and it doesn’t help that we only talk about the dentist twice a year right before we’re about to go. Spend the month doing fun dental-health-related activities, and better yet, don’t correspond them with a trip to the dentist.
Allowing your child to learn about the dentist without having to visit just yet — you can tell them when their next upcoming appointment is — is a great way to introduce a topic that may otherwise be scary or anxiety-inducing.
Here are some fun ideas that can help you talk about the dentist.
- Head to the library and check out a few dentist-related books
- Paint with toothbrushes
- Make a model mouth using mini marshmallows for teeth — practice brushing and flossing and then practice eating the marshmallows
- Do a cute tooth craft that you can put on the fridge
- Buy white play dough and make some model teeth
- Practice flossing with a Duplo block by putting some play dough between the teeth and then using string to remove it
- Create a tooth-brushing chart
4. Consider getting sealants
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating on the grooves of the back molars. Dentists often recommend sealants for children because they can help prevent tooth decay.
Some people wonder whether sealants are better than a filling. After all, it sort of sounds similar to the process of filling a cavity, right? Think of sealants as proactive and fillings as reactive. Sealants are a painless way to prevent cavities. The process is quick and easy. They help make your tooth stronger because they guard against cavities. Plus, it’s less expensive and easier to seal a tooth than it is to fill it.
During National Children’s Dental Health Month, reach out to your child’s dentist and explore whether sealants are the right option for your child.
5. Swap for healthier snacks
When we think about what our children eat and drink, we often do it from a nutritional standpoint. However, those sweets and sugary drinks often wreak havoc on their teeth as well.
Candy, cookies, soda, and sports drinks are not the end of the world when they’re an occasional treat, but if they’re becoming a consistent part of your child’s daily diet, then consider swapping for a healthier alternative. Sugar has a direct connection to tooth decay. The combination of sugar, saliva, and bacteria in the mouth creates plaque which can dissolve enamel if left on teeth.
Reducing the amount of processed sugar that your child consumes decreases their chance of cavities. If you need some healthier swaps, try peanut butter and celery, yogurt, and cheese sticks. And remember, you don’t have to completely cut out these items entirely. Your kid can go to playdates, birthday parties, and school and eat everything that goes along with being a kid. It’s just good to remember that an abundance of sugar can negatively impact oral health.
Final Thoughts
Pediatric Care Centers provides friendly care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dr. Benitez and his team of Jacksonville pediatricians work around the clock to provide exceptional pediatric care, including referrals to local pediatric dentists!
