February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

What better time to introduce the proper dental habits to our children? In the coming months, I will be answering many of the questions curious caring parents might have about maintaining our kids’ gorgeous, healthy smiles.

Prevention and early detection of dental problems can keep a child out of harm’s way and give parents peace of mind. Imagine giving your child or grandchild the gift of having healthy sound teeth for the rest of his or her life; plus the added benefit of not being afraid of the dentist.  As dentists who treat many fearful adults, we can tell you that those who require sedation dentistry are the ones who got off to rotten starts as children. This proven, obtainable goal of maintaining a healthy mouth, in a patient who appreciates the value of a lifetime of dental heath, can only be achieved with the early guidance and concern of an educated parent or guardian.

Tooth brushing habits should start as soon as the first part of the first tooth pokes through the gums. We have educated our patients to make it part of the bedtime routine for them to sit cross-legged on the floor, with the child’s head in their lap. This affords the same view of the mouth as a dentist would have, and acclimates the child to this “exam” position at their first dental appointment (which should occur at age one, strictly for acclimatization of visiting the dental office – the first tooth cleaning can occur sometime between ages two and three, depending on the maturity of the child). The first parental “brushings” can be accomplished with a piece of tissue or gauze. The objective is to remove all the plaque from the teeth, everyday. We encourage parents to maintain this regimen daily until the child has proven that their tooth cleaning ability is equal to that of the parent.

Snack Facts

Your child needs to eat a variety of foods: grains, milk and milk products, meat, vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid establishing a "sweet tooth" by limiting foods high in sugar.  Be sure the grandparents read this article. They’ll understand better than anyone how important it is to keep teeth healthy and decay free. If you don’t know what baby bottle syndrome is, ask your pediatrician or family dentist.

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Excerpted with the author's permission from "I Hate Dentists! The Feel-Good Guide to Going to the Dentist" We invite you to stop in with your child, and tour our office. We will be happy to give you a copy of "From Womb to Wisdom", a guide about caring for your children's teeth. We strongly recommend that such an introductory visit occur at around age 12 months. Please call ahead to make sure we are available for your tour.