If you are a parent, guardian or other active caregiver, you play an essential role in your children’s lives and their health every day. In fact, their well-being is probably on your mind every day.
However, you may not always know how to build the foundation for a lifetime of health for your child. When you are educated about the connection between children’s oral care and overall health, you can proactively address poor health by implementing an oral care plan from the first months of your child’s life.
According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents should schedule a dental visit for their child as soon as their first tooth erupts, usually within the first year of their life. Babies use their first teeth for breastfeeding purposes and can develop dental problems as early as their first year.
Related: 3 Toothpastes You Should Use With Care (or Avoid Completely)
As they grow older, they may develop early childhood caries (ECC), which is an accelerated form of tooth decay and is also the most common chronic childhood disease.
According to CDC, about 1 in 5 (20%) children aged 5-11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth and about 1 in 7 (13%) adolescents aged 12-19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Tooth decay can lead to distraction at school, poor self-esteem and possibly lead to behavioral effects.
Your child’s dental providers are part of their medical care team. Board certified in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry myself, I understand the critical role dental and healthcare providers play in patients’ lives. From my many years of experience in the field, I have outlined some basic tips that families should know when it comes to oral care:
Create a dental home—or home base—for your child’s oral health. It is recommended that children’s first visit be when the first tooth erupts, but no later than one year of age. Start your child early in a stable care provider of their choice that will help instill values in them at a young age.
Start dental habits from early infancy. Start early oral care habits from infancy by wiping gums with a washcloth after feeding.
Use an age-appropriate toothbrush with soft bristles as soon as their first tooth appears. Gently but thoroughly, brush the teeth in a circular direction. Explain step by step what you are doing and why.
Use kid-friendly terms to describe oral care issues you’re trying to prevent. If you’re trying to teach your kids about tooth decay, try using the term “sugar.” There are many books on the market for a first visit to the dentist.
In addition to educating your children about the importance of oral care, you can also combat preventive dental issues that can lead to more damaging health problems down the road. If your community does not have fluoridated water, it is even more important to use fluoride products under the guidance of a dentist or doctor. These may include toothpastes, rinses, supplements, varnishes (in-office treatment), and sealants. When applied to the chewing surfaces of children’s back teeth, sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities. Finally, encouraging a healthy diet and eliminating sugary drinks and snacks effectively reduce the risk of tooth decay.
An excellent dental health care provider will help you give your child the best start. Dental hygienists are an especially great source of disease prevention knowledge. Do not hesitate to contact us! That’s what we’re here for.
