Basic elements
According to CDC:
- Bacteria in the mouth produce acid when a person eats sugary foods. This acid eats the minerals from the surface of the tooth, making the tooth weaker and increasing the chance of tooth decay.
- Drinking tap water with fluoride rebuilds the surface of the tooth. By keeping the tooth strong and solid, fluoride protects teeth from tooth decay.
- Dental sealants is a quick, easy and painless way to prevent most cavities in the permanent back teeth where 9 out of 10 cavities occur. Children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost 3 times more first molar cavities than children with sealants.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Tooth decay, also known as tooth decay or caries, is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, yet tooth decay is preventable. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that can lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who do not.
Your child’s diet is very important for developing and maintaining strong and healthy teeth. It is helpful to include good sources of calcium (yogurt, broccoli and milk) in your child’s diet to help build strong teeth. Teaching your child healthy eating habits is one of the best practices for lifelong good health. Here are some helpful tips:
- Eat fruits and vegetables for snacks instead of candy and cookies.
- Brush your child’s teeth twice a day.
- Serve water at mealtime, not juice or soda.
What parents and carers can do
For Babies
- Wipe the gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after the first feeding and immediately before bed to wipe away the bacteria and sugars that can cause tooth decay.
- When the teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, short-bristled toothbrush and clean water.
- Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot early signs of problems.
- Talk to your dentist or doctor about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth once the first tooth appears.
For children under 2 years of age, consult your doctor or dentist first about using fluoride toothpaste.
For children
- Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Help your child brush their teeth until they develop good brushing skills.
If your child is younger than 6, watch them brush. Make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out instead of swallowing it. - Ask your child’s dentist to apply dental sealants when needed.
- Drink tap water that contains fluoride.
Affordable dental care is available through My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) for Medicaid enrollees and low-income, uninsured residents throughout the state of Michigan. For more information, call 877-313-6232 or visit their website: www.mydental.org
Questions? Contact your local dental health provider. If you haven’t, please visit whereforcare.info/#findaproviderto locate a provider near you.
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