February is National Children's Dental Health Month

National Children's Dental Health Month is celebrated every February to raise awareness about the importance of oral health - especially the oral health of our children. The slogan for this year's National Children's Dental Health Month is "Fight Tooth Decay 24/7!"

The American Dental Association provides on their website a program planning kit that teachers, dental professionals and parents can download and print out. The planning kit offers different activities, events, and essay contests and school presentations that can be given on dental health. The planning kit also gives time lines on when to start advertising and promoting events and activities for Dental Health Month and provides resources if you need help.

I started taking our son to the dentist when he was almost two years old and I faithfully take him every six months. Good oral hygiene is so important to our overall health.

By taking your child to the dentist every six months and starting them at a young age, they learn early how to take care of their teeth, and their gums and teeth are healthier as they get older. Before I had my son's first dental visit I took him with me so that he could see my teeth being cleaned, see the dentist examine me and talk to me. Even though he was very young, I still felt it important to make sure he knew upfront what to expect.

Finding a Dentist

If you do not think your own family dentist is patient enough to work with children, you can always find a pediatric dentist. These dentists have completed additional training that specializes in treating children only. These dentists work extra closely with children in teaching them proper oral hygiene and are trained to make children feel comfortable. Most of your family dentists treat adults and children. We all use the same dentist, but it is something worth looking into if you don't feel comfortable with your own dentist.

Oral Hygiene Tips for Children

Children should brush their teeth at least two times a day. As a parent, it is our responsibility to make sure our children are brushing appropriately and to supervise them while brushing until they are old enough and understand how to do it properly.

Flossing should be done at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque that can lead to cavities.

Visit the dentist every six months for oral hygiene cleanings. X-rays are usually taken once every 2 years to make sure that no cavities are present.

If your child is 5 - 6 years old, it is wise to have a sealants applied to their premolars. This will help prevent tooth decay. My dentist explained that sealants should be applied because these teeth in the back have large grooves in them and it is easy for the plaque and food to tuck down inside of the teeth.

Reduce sugar intake in foods and drinks. Sugar causes cavities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children first be taken to the dentist six months after the first tooth comes through or before they are one year old. They used to recommend children start going to the dentist at three years of age. Due to so many children having cavities before they start school, they lowered the recommended age.