The Importance of Children’s Oral Health & Dental Care

With everything we teach our children, good oral hygiene should be high on the list. When you start your children off with healthy oral hygiene habits, you are investing in their future. They will have bright smiles and maintain good health and health habits.

Because baby teeth fall out, many forget the importance of taking care of them. However, you want to establish good habits from the start so that they last a lifetime. An early start will help protect a child’s teeth and teach them the importance of an oral regimen from the start.

Children’s oral health is important even before a baby gets teeth. Bacteria build up can be prevented by cleaning your baby’s gums with a warm, wet cloth every day. Baby teeth are susceptible to decay and other problems and need to be taken care of right from the start.

The American Dental Association recommends a trip to a pediatric dentist before your child’s first birthday. A dentist will review the parent’s dental history, examine the condition of the baby’s teeth, check bite alignment, and assess the possibility of future dental problems. A pediatric dentist may also review a healthy diet plan with you and make some suggestions about preventative care and healthy oral habits. This first visit will help set the stage for healthy oral habits and provides the family and the dentist an opportunity to connect and get to know each other.

Children and Tooth Decay

Baby teeth are not in the mouth for a long period of time but they need to be properly cared for. The baby teeth help with the following important developmental goals:

• Aid in the development of clear speech
• Help with effective chewing
• Help to guide permanent teeth into position as they emerge

Once baby teeth come in, tooth decay can begin if proper oral hygiene is not practiced. Permanent teeth underneath can be damaged if there are cavities and infection in the baby teeth. Cavities in infants often occur due to contact with drinks that contain sugars such as milk, juice, or formula. This is known as “baby bottle decay.”

Tooth decay is preventable but it is still a prevalent issue for children. Research has shown that in the United States, the number of children between the ages of five and nineteen who have untreated dental carries (cavities) is around 17.5%. The effects of tooth decay can be painful and, if left untreated, it can lead to an infection and affect eating and speaking. Children who are at risk of cavities should have a fluoride varnish applied to help protect their teeth.

What You Should Do

Good children’s oral health is important from the start. Here are some things you can do at home:

• Help young children (3 and under) with the brushing of their teeth. Use a soft toothbrush and a rice-sized smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Brush in the morning and again at night.
• Help a child floss as soon as he has 2 teeth that are next to one another.
• At about the age of three, increase the toothpaste to about the size of a pea. Continue brushing twice a day. Ensure the child does not use too much toothpaste and that he does not swallow it.

Samaritan Dental Arts has pediatric dentists who care about children and their health. They are committed to providing quality care for your whole family. Contact them to book an appointment today.