February is Children’s Dental Health Month
Children’s Dental Health Month is a month-long national health observance to promote the benefits of good dental health for children. This month-long focus is meant to help educate parents and children of the importance dental health plays from the early stages of a child’s life.
Help Children Form Good Dental Health Habits
Good dental health is more than just brushing and flossing. When your young child’s teeth begin erupting through their gums, it’s time to take your baby for his or her first appointment with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS. Baby teeth are important to your child’s development and overall health. Teeth help your child, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. Learning healthy dental habits from the very beginning is essential and with good dental care you can help protect their teeth for their lifetime.
When Should You Take Your Toddler to the Dentist?
It is recommended that you take your toddler to the dentist by a year old, or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in. This is akin to a well-baby visit to the doctor. This is a time for Dr. Evanson to examine your child’s teeth, and it’s also a time for parents to learn how to best care for your child’s teeth. A first experience in the dentist’s chair also acclimates your child to feel comfortable in that setting, which is essential when forming good dental habits. Then plan to visit Dr. Evanson every 6 months to a year for a professional exam.
Brushing Teeth Prevents Cavities
Tooth decay is preventable, yet it is the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40 percent of children have decay by the time they reach kindergarten.
Brushing your child’s teeth is the main way to combat cavities and bacteria, but flossing between tiny teeth gets the food and plaque out of hard-to-reach places a toothbrush can’t. As your child’s dental health coach, they are looking to you for guidance in caring for their teeth. Brushing is a basic dental habit children will need for the rest of their lives.
The Basics of Tooth Brushing
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle brush for two minutes each time.
- Replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months.
- Disinfect toothbrushes after a bout with the cold or flu.
Make Brushing Fun for Your Child!
Two minutes of brushing can seem like an eternity to a child, but these strategies will help your children have fun while forming good dental habits:
- Let your child pick out their own soft bristle toothbrush.
- Play a song that lasts 2 minutes, then brush to the beat of the music.
- Rewards, such as a sticker or a trip to the library for good brushing might add the extra incentive they need.
Help Your Child Establish Good Dental Health Habits
Your baby will experience many “firsts”; first tooth, first steps and first haircut. Give our office a call at (720) 409-0008 or contact us online to make the first dental appointment for your child.
Dr. Evanson is a family dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry. She is knowledgeable in teaching children how to properly care for their teeth, and skilled in what to look for in a child’s jaw structure, tooth spacing and other factors that could pose potential problems for your child.
It’s never too early to start building good dental health habits for your children. Start where you are and build from that point. Your children will thank you for years to come.
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