Dental Health
Innumerable studies have indicated the importance of starting good dental hygiene and oral care early in children’s lives. According to research, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. Prevalence of tooth decay is 5 times more common than Asthma and 7 times more common than Hay fever. Early treatment prevents problems affecting a child's health, well-being, self-image and overall achievement.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms. Because there is such a significant loss in their academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children's oral health a priority.
Parents are responsible for ensuring their children practice good dental hygiene. Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child's life – as early as infancy. The American Dental Hygiene Association states that a good oral hygiene routine for children includes:
- Thoroughly cleaning your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food.
- Gently brushing your baby’s erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Use toothpaste as directed by your pediatric dentist.
- Teaching your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques and later teaching them brushing and gentle flossing until 10 years of age.
- Regular visits with their pediatric dentist to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.
- Encouraging your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits, but not mentioning words like “pain” or “hurt,” since these may instill the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.
- Determining if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated; if not, discussing fluoride supplement options with your pediatric dentist or hygienist.
- Asking your hygienist or pediatric dentist about sealant applications to protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth.
