February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, an American Dental Association (ADA) initiative focused on bringing awareness to the fact that many children suffer from a lack of dental care, and the health issues which can arise from that deficit. It is meant to help highlight the important benefits of early, good dental and oral health care all year-round. Good dental health habits and professional care can last a lifetime!
It is also an annual reminder about how important oral care is not only in February, but all year long. Did you know that 1 in 16 children in the U.S. (about 4.6 million) have no access to professional dental care services due to financial circumstances? And 50% of pediatric patients with Medicaid, which also covers dental services, ever receive dental care. More than 40% of children in the United States have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. The primary consequences of poor oral health are dental decay, gingivitis, periodontitis and cavities, otherwise known as caries, caused by a breakdown of teeth due to acids made by bacteria. As a result, children often endure tooth pain, which can result in poor school performance and school absences. In a worst case scenario, even death can occur (via airway & brain infections) if oral health problems are not treated properly.
While it’s not easy to overcome the many obstacles in achieving optimal dental health for our children, steps can still be taken to decrease dental decay.
STEP 1. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that children be seen by a pediatric dentist by age 1. Your relationship with your child's dentist will answer many questions you may have about: proper brushing and flossing techniques, thumb sucking, ways to prevent early childhood cavities, when to expect changes from primary (baby) to permanent teeth, dental sealants, when it's time for braces, choosing the right mouth protector for active children and adolescents, and teaching them to say no to tobacco. Most parents assume cavities in baby teeth are insignificant since these teeth will eventually be lost. This is false!! Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, it doesn't mean they should be cared about less. Think of it this way. If a child is losing a tooth because of a huge cavity on it when they are 2, while they are not supposed to lose it until age 10, they LOSE that tooth space. So, in the future when they are older and getting permanent teeth in, they won't have room for those teeth to come in. Bottom line, if unaddressed, early dental issues can negatively impact permanent teeth, leading to future dental problems.
STEP 2. Young children need to get adequate calcium from three to four servings of dairy foods daily. Balanced, nutritional diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D will help build strong teeth and keep gums and mouth tissue healthy.
STEP 3. While some want their kids to be independent, parents should brush their teeth until the kids are ready to do it themselves properly. “We gauge that moment has come by saying if they can tie their shoes or write their name really well, then their hand can do the motion of the toothbrush and the floss and get all of the plaque of their teeth.” Children younger than 2 years of age should brush their teeth twice daily with a small (rice grain size) amount of fluoride toothpaste. Children older than 2 should use a pea size serving of fluoride tooth paste when brushing while also flossing in between their teeth, daily. Electric toothbrushes are always more effective at reducing plaque and decreasing gingivitis than using a regular toothbrush. Teaching your child to brush and floss properly (and regularly) can take some time, but it doesn't take long for harmful plaque and bacteria to damage teeth. Because baby teeth play a critical role in the alignment of permanent teeth, speech development and proper chewing skills, keeping them free of decay is critical.
STEP 4. Fluoride varnish, a highly concentrated form of fluoride therapy, can be applied at the pediatric provider's office once children have their baby teeth, and until they are old enough to see a dentist. Fluoride reduces dental decay by making enamel tougher, reduces bacteria which can produce acid and erode enamel, and replaces with minerals. It is important to have fluorinated water. Community water with fluorination decreases tooth decay by 29 to 51%. According to the ADA, children who do not live in communities with fluorinated water should receive fluoride prescriptions up to 16 years of age. This year the February observance of National Children’s Dental Health Month honors the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation. Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first U.S. city to fluoridate its public water supply in 1945. Five years later, when the schoolchildren of Grand Rapids were found to have significantly fewer cavities than children from surrounding communities.
STEP 5. While fluoride protects areas between the teeth, sealants are required to fill the tiny pits and grooves on and between teeth where most cavities form. Many pediatric dentists will recommend dental sealant as a safeguard for the back teeth — particularly the molars, since they are primarily used for chewing and tend to have a deeply pitted and grooved surface. Front teeth tend to be smoother and may not need sealant at all, but it may still be recommended depending on your child's oral health and hygiene.
STEP 6. Avoid sugar in kids’ diets. It promotes growth of bacteria, which in turn produces acid and causes tooth decay. The worst sugars for teeth come from sticky, sugary foods which cling to teeth; dried fruits, candies, caramel, toffee, gum, honey, maple syrup and molasses are just a few. Sodas and sweetened beverages will bathe your kids’ teeth with sugar for hours. Cereals and other starchy foods such as popcorn leave residue in which bacteria can then convert to sugar. When sugary foods and/or drinks are consumed, make sure their teeth are brushed with fluorinated toothpaste, immediately afterward. Be cautious about milk as well. It does have a lot of sugar in it. So milk is usually recommended at meal times, instead of sipping on it all day or all evening or all night.
STEP 7. Positive reinforcement is crucial in encouraging a child’s first steps into dental care. The best way to protect your child's teeth is to teach good dental habits from an early age and make sure to model that behavior for them. At such a young age, going to the dentist and brushing may seem a little scary. That's where parents and guardians can use positive reinforcement, like a sticker chart or promising a fun activity. Help give your children a healthy, beautiful smile while also celebrating every tooth loss and milestone that comes their way!