Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month with Gentle Dental
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and it’s a great time to brush up on good oral hygiene to maintain a healthy smile all year long.
Tooth decay is a major chronic illness in children. If left untreated, tooth decay may lead to tooth loss and speech problems. American students miss 51 million hours of school every year due to poor dental health. Fortunately, this is preventable with proper oral hygiene.
It is important for parents to encourage their children to practice good oral hygiene at a young age to help them develop correct brushing habits.
Children should brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and it is recommended that children receive dental cleanings every 6 months. Parents should not make the mistake of only taking their children to the dentist when they are in pain. By doing this, children begin to associate going to the dentist with a painful and sometime traumatic experience. By taking children at a young age for preventative care, they will grow up enjoying the dentist and looking forward to their bi-yearly visits.
A healthy diet is also important in maintaining a healthy, cavity free smile. Urge your children to eat healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables. Try to avoid giving your children sugary drinks and snacks. Whenever we eat or drink something that contains sugar or starch, the bacteria in our mouth uses them to produce acids. These acids begin to eat away at the tooth’s hard outer surface and, over time, we begin to develop cavities.
Parents play a key role in their children’s hygiene and should make it a priority to teach their children the basics so they can carry them into adulthood. Remember, tooth decay and cavities are preventable, so educate your child while making oral care fun and help your children get a jump start on a lifetime of healthy gums and teeth.
The post Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month With Gentle Dental appeared first on Gentle Dental.
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