By: Samantha Ennis
February is Children’s Dental Health month. When it comes to a person’s health, oral care is often forgotten or pushed to the bottom of the list of one’s priorities. Long with exercising, eating well, anual doctor’s visits, and everything else categorized as healthy living, good oral health is also essential for living a healthy life.
During the first few years of life, the foundation of a child’s permanent teeth is developing. During this time, it is crucial to establish good oral health habits with children to help the development of healthy and strong teeth.
Dental health is becoming a big problem not only across the United States, but across the world. According to New York Presbyterian Hospital, tooth decay is found in 20% of children ages four and five, with 86% having some form of tooth decay by age 17. Parents lay the foundation of their children’s oral health routines at an early age, here are some tips on building your child proper oral health care:
Children’s Oral Health Tips:
Brush twice a day.
Brushing Tips:
For more tips on children’s dental health, Colgate Oral Care Center: Oral Health for Children.
Sources:
Colgate Oral Care Center: Oral Health for Children, http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/childrens-oral-care/article/oral-health-for-children
Colgate: Importance of Childhood Oral Hygiene and Role of a Parent
http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/childhood-oral-hygiene-and-the-role-of-parents
Humana: Kids Dental Health,
https://www.humana.com/learning-center/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/dental-health-for-children
February is Children’s Dental Health month. When it comes to a person’s health, oral care is often forgotten or pushed to the bottom of the list of one’s priorities. Long with exercising, eating well, anual doctor’s visits, and everything else categorized as healthy living, good oral health is also essential for living a healthy life.
During the first few years of life, the foundation of a child’s permanent teeth is developing. During this time, it is crucial to establish good oral health habits with children to help the development of healthy and strong teeth.
Dental health is becoming a big problem not only across the United States, but across the world. According to New York Presbyterian Hospital, tooth decay is found in 20% of children ages four and five, with 86% having some form of tooth decay by age 17. Parents lay the foundation of their children’s oral health routines at an early age, here are some tips on building your child proper oral health care:
Children’s Oral Health Tips:
Brush twice a day.
- Take your child to the dentist for regular check ups.
- Floss everyday to remove plaque from in between teeth and causing decay.
- Explanation I once heard that really hit home for children: “Flossing in between your teeth is like washing your hands. If you wash your hands with your fingers closed together, will your hands really be clean? No, the inside of your fingers will not be clean and still have germs. The same is for in between your teeth, if you only brush your teeth, in between your teeth with still have germs."
- Explanation I once heard that really hit home for children: “Flossing in between your teeth is like washing your hands. If you wash your hands with your fingers closed together, will your hands really be clean? No, the inside of your fingers will not be clean and still have germs. The same is for in between your teeth, if you only brush your teeth, in between your teeth with still have germs."
- Use dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste.
- Fluoride plays a huge role in remineralizing (restoring) cavities, and helps protect the enamel from cavities.
- Ensure children are drinking fluoridated water.
Brushing Tips:
- Brush twice a day.
- Be sure to brush the gumline, plaque can often accumulate at the gumline.
- Brush the chewing surface, along with the inside of the tooth.
- Don’t forget to brush the tongue!
For more tips on children’s dental health, Colgate Oral Care Center: Oral Health for Children.
Sources:
Colgate Oral Care Center: Oral Health for Children, http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/childrens-oral-care/article/oral-health-for-children
Colgate: Importance of Childhood Oral Hygiene and Role of a Parent
http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/articles/childhood-oral-hygiene-and-the-role-of-parents
Humana: Kids Dental Health,
https://www.humana.com/learning-center/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/dental-health-for-children