The American Dental Association recognizes February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. This second month of the year is dedicated to improving the dental health of children while educating parents about the best ways to set their kids up for beautiful and healthy smiles for life. To celebrate the occasion, here are a few best practices for caring for children’s oral health and educating them about the importance of dental hygiene.
Start The Kid on Excellent Oral Hygiene Early
New parents are often not sure when to start cleaning their child’s mouth or when to schedule their first dentist’s appointment. The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents schedule their child’s first dental visit by the time they get their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first. At this appointment, parents will have the chance to ask the dentist any questions they have about caring for their child’s dental health.
Baby Teeth Need Protection Too
Your child’s first set of teeth plays a key role in their development. The baby teeth will reside in your child’s mouth for about ten years and are important to how they learn to chew, speak, and smile, and they also provide the crucial service of helping to guide the adult teeth into healthy positions. While your child still has their baby teeth, they must be cleaned and protected to prevent tooth decay and injuries that can cause premature loss. You should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they begin to emerge and start flossing as soon as they have two teeth next to one another.
Keep Your Child Hydrated
While juices, sports drinks, and sodas are popular beverages for many children, these drinks are high in acids and sugar that can cause serious damage to their teeth. Acid begins to erode enamel on contact, and sugar feeds the harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure that your child is enjoying water as their primary beverage, as it will keep them hydrated and stimulate saliva flow that helps clean the mouth of sugar, bacteria, and debris.
Practicing excellent oral hygiene in childhood is the first step to enjoying excellent oral health in adulthood. By taking these guidelines to heart, you can help your child meet the world with a beautiful smile.
About the Practice
South Ridge Dental delivers personalized dental care to the people of Lincoln, NE. Led by Drs. Ryan and Steven Shaffer, the staff addresses the needs of each patient with special care and stellar customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on protecting your child’s oral health, contact the office online or dial (402) 423-1616.