This Children’s Dental Month, the American Dental Association shared that childhood cavities are 100 percent preventable, and that parents have the power to stop tooth decay and dental caries in children, beginning at birth.
Why birth? After all, most children are not born with teeth. But beginning at birth, parents can begin introducing children to the concept of good oral health by massaging their gums with a soft cloth after eating. This not only cleans the gums, it gets the child comfortable with caring for their own teeth and gums, as well as comfortable with someone working in their mouth, whether it be a parent brushing their teeth, or Dr. Abelar examining and cleaning their teeth at their checkup.
Other useful tips from the American Dental Association include:
-Bring your children to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears
-Monitor younger children as they brush their teeth to be sure they are doing it properly.
-Make sure children’s teeth are brushed twice a day, for at least two minutes at a time
-Replace your child’s toothbrush every two to four months
-Introduce children to flossing as soon as they develop teeth that touch
-Visit Dr. Abelar twice a year for schedule cleanings and checkups
Dental caries in children is a serious condition, affecting up to 40 percent of all children by the time they are in kindergarten. By practicing these excellent oral hygiene tips, we can reduce that number, and even prevent it entirely.
In fact, dental caries are the number one illness in children, and they can cause significant problems, especially when it comes to school. Children miss more school dealing with cavities each year than many other illnesses, and many children have difficulty focusing in class because of the discomfort of cavities and other oral health problems.
Remember, just because they’re ‘baby teeth’ doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cared for. In fact, baby teeth are the perfect way for children to practice excellent oral hygiene and get a feel for how to care for their permanent, adult teeth, which they will have for a lifetime.
To schedule an appointment for your child with Dr. Abelar, please contact the office today!
