National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which is designed to raise awareness regarding the importance of oral health in children. This is important given that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children and, unfortunately, many parents are not as aware as they should be. That said, this is almost entirely preventable if the right measures are taken to protect their teeth. With good diet and oral hygiene practices, such as thorough brushing, children can avoid developing cavities. Additionally, dental sealants and community water fluoridation are other means that can help fight tooth decay.

Regardless if you are a parent, professional, or teacher, this month can motivate you to remain aware all year round of the importance of taking such critical preventative measures to protect oral health in children.

Below is a list of tips that will help ensure your child maintains proper hygiene:

• Make sure your child brushes for at least two minutes, twice a day. An hourglass timer is a fun way to make sure your child does not take too little time with this task.

• Your child should have a regular routine. This means that he or she should brush at the same time every day, usually in the morning before school and at night before bedtime.

• Take your child to a pediatric dentist every 6 months for a regular check-up and cleaning.

• Give your child healthy snacks instead of snacks that are loaded with sugar.

• Try to make brushing fun, so that your child will want to do it. You can accomplish this by buying a musical toothbrush or allowing them to choose the toothbrush they like.

• Many children find electric toothbrushes helpful in combating sensory defensiveness.

• Consider toothpaste options until your child finds one that he or she likes. Make sure you discuss the toothpaste your child chooses with a dentist before making it part of his or her brushing routine.

• For kids with sensitive gums, sometimes it helps to have a crunchy good or small piece of ice to desensitize them prior to brushing.

• Try letting your child dip the toothbrush in hot water before brushing to soften the bristles.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents should bring their child to the dentist for a first-time visit when the child’s first tooth arrives or by the age of 1, whichever comes first. Oftentimes, parents think this is too young to take a child to the dentist, especially since they will barely have a first tooth at this point. However, good oral health begins at an early age. Make sure you give your child’s smile the best start by emphasizing the importance of brushing and flossing.

Compassionate Pediatric Dentistry in Santa Clarita

At Adventure Dental in Santa Clarita, our experienced pediatric dentists are dedicated to educating our patients about good oral hygiene so they can prevent painful problems in the future. We enjoy working with children and consider ourselves experts in behavior management and will take extra steps to ensure every patient feels comfortable in our office.

Contact our office today at (661) 251-0200 to schedule an appointment!