As National Children’s Dental Health Month comes to an end The daily spoke with School of Dentistry Assistant Professor Margaret Ferretti to learn about the importance of children’s dental health — and learn about some common misconceptions. A professor at Pediatric Dentistry DepartmentFerretti notes how proper pediatric dental care, or the lack of it, can affect a child’s overall well-being.
Read on to find out what Ferretti believes are the top five things you need to know about children’s dental and oral health.
1. Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States.
Tooth decay, like tooth decay, is five times more common than asthma in US children. Untreated cavities in children lead to more problems than just their oral health.
Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who do not. It can lead to pain and infections that cause problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning.
2. Childhood tooth decay is preventable.
Some preventative measures include fluoride varnish which can help reduce the risk of tooth decay in primary teeth by 33%. Dental sealants can also help prevent tooth decay with up to an 80% reduced risk.
Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day helps reduce the risk of tooth decay in children, and the amount of fluoride varies by age. For ages 0-36 months a smear or the size of a grain of rice should be applied twice daily and the excess then brushed away with an appropriately sized toothbrush. For ages 3-6 years a pea size should be applied twice a day and the child should be encouraged to spit out the excess.
3. Baby teeth are important.
A common misconception in pediatric dentistry is that baby teeth eventually fall out, so it’s not necessary to care for them the same way we do adult teeth.
In order to avoid dental problems, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children see the dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday. Primary teeth play a critical role not only in helping children chew, which is essential for good nutrition, but they also play an important role in speech development and save space for permanent teeth to erupt properly.
4. Healthy habits start early.
One of the most important aspects of pediatric dentistry is helping a child develop good oral health care habits. Early care and prevention measures implemented when children are young are more likely to have an impact throughout the child’s life.
Establishing these oral care habits early is good for both childhood dental hygiene and lifelong habits in adulthood.
5. Pediatric dentistry promotes a child’s overall health and wellness.
Dentists play a crucial role in the development of a child’s healthy body and mind. Children should be able to smile without feeling self-conscious. Misaligned teeth and pain from dental disease can have a significant impact on a child’s social and psychological development. It is not uncommon for children with dental problems to be bullied, and if children are embarrassed to smile in front of their peers, they may be reluctant to participate in social activities.
Inspired to make a dental appointment for your child? check it Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine.
