The University of Kentucky Office of Public Affairs & Strategic Communications provides a weekly health column available for media use and reprint. This week’s column is from Ronald Singer, DDS, associate professor at the University of Kentucky Dental School and head of the Dental Public Health Sector.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 24, 2024) – February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, making it the perfect time for parents and guardians to refresh themselves on ways to promote the benefits of good oral hygiene for children.
Recent findings from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry’s 2023 Kentucky Early Learners’ Oral Health Surveillance Project found that dental caries rates for Kentucky children ages 2 to 5 are significantly higher than the national average.
Young children’s oral health is essential to health equity, as it not only determines the trajectory of oral health throughout life, but also affects a person’s overall health and development. The following tips can help ensure your child’s oral health is on track.
Find out when your child should start dental visits
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that a child’s first visit to the dentist should be six months after their first tooth erupts into their gums. The first visit to the dentist is usually around the child’s first birthday. This dental visit is an opportunity for providers to meet the family, answer any questions, perform a dental exam, and teach the parent how to brush the child’s teeth and gums.
Maintain proper brushing and flossing habits
Good oral hygiene habits are developed early in a child’s life, usually acquired by a motivated parent or sibling who maintains good oral hygiene habits every day. The goal of proper tooth brushing is to remove dental plaque (bacteria) that can cause tooth decay from all tooth surfaces. Flossing is used to remove plaque or food particles from under the tooth contacts where the toothbrush cannot reach. Proper brushing and flossing is the key to a healthy, cavity-free mouth. Great brushing and flossing techniques can be found here.
Healthy snacking promotes healthy teeth
Diet is a very important component in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Inadequate nutrition can affect oral health leading to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Healthy snacking and good oral hygiene habits together will reduce the chance of tooth decay. It is also important to realize that proper tooth brushing before bed reduces the chance of tooth decay. More resources on nutrition and dental health can be found here.
Avoid sugary drinks and stay hydrated with water
Excessive frequency of consumption of soft drinks containing sugar can be very harmful to the oral cavity and teeth. Frequent exposure to baking soda will cause the pH of the oral cavity to become acidic, resulting in the weakening of enamel and dental cavities. Cariogenic bacteria (plaque), fermentable carbohydrates (sugary drinks), sensitive tooth surface, saliva and time are the five main factors necessary for tooth decay. Staying hydrated with water and rinsing with water can slow this process down until you have a chance to brush and floss your teeth, removing the harmful bacteria on your teeth.
Signs of tooth decay and when to seek treatment
The first signs of a dental cavity appear as a white spot on the surface of the teeth. Usually seen in children when plaque builds up near red inflamed tissue, it usually occurs on the upper front teeth. A white spot or stain is a sign that minerals have been removed from the tooth, weakening the enamel surface. This leads to tooth decay. Once tooth decay occurs, the tooth will have a brownish color appearance.
Regular dental checkups after the first tooth appears are important to maintaining a healthy mouth free of cavities and periodontal disease. If the dentist notices a white spot, sometimes treatment with fluoride products can remineralize the enamel to make it healthy again. If a cavity is found, the dentist can remove the cavity and place a dental filling.
Regular dental checkups, good oral hygiene habits along with proper diet and nutrition are the keys to success for a healthy mouth free of cavities and periodontal disease.
