By: Renee Johnstonbaugh, Quality Community Outreach Specialist
AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania
Every day, nearly every second, children use their mouths. It’s a passage for breathing. It’s where children hydrate and provide their bodies with the nutrients they need to grow and be healthy.
Children use different parts of their mouths, also called the oral cavity, for many things. They use their tongues and throats to speak, muscles in their faces and mouths to smile and show emotion and their teeth to chew.
Children’s dental health is very important. In fact, it can even affect their overall health.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Use this time to learn the proper ways to take care of your child’s mouth and teeth and the importance of brushing and flossing every day.
Dental health for infants
Even though baby teeth fall out and make way for adult teeth, proper care of baby teeth is still important. If a baby’s teeth start to rot, it can cause pain and discomfort. It can even harm your baby’s gums and cause infection.
Fluoride can help. In many communities, fluoride is already in the water. If your water does not have fluoride, ask your dentist what you can do to help protect your baby’s teeth. Your dentist may be able to provide you with a fluoride product to help.
Once your baby’s teeth begin showing, it’s time to begin cleaning the baby’s mouth. You can use a baby toothbrush or a soft cloth. Use warm water and rub gently on his or her teeth and gums.
Ask your dentist when you should start using toothpaste and what kind to use for your child’s teeth. If your water does not have fluoride in it, your dentist may suggest fluoride toothpaste for your baby.
Most babies will use a non-fluoride toothpaste up until the age of 2. At that age, most dentists suggest using fluoride toothpaste regardless of your type of water.
Clean your child’s teeth and gums twice a day, especially before bed. And remember, a little bit goes a long way — you only have to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Once your child is old enough, supervise his or her brushings. It’s also important to teach your child to rinse his or her mouth well and never to swallow toothpaste.
Help your child avoid cavities
Cavities are holes or damage in the teeth. But there are easy steps you can take to prevent them. Here are some ways you can help prevent cavities and tooth decay for your child:
- For an infant, do not use honey or other sweets on your baby’s pacifier, even though it may seem helpful at the time.
- Don’t put your child to bed with a bottle. If you do, fill it with water only.
- Choose milk or water between meals instead of sweet, sugary drinks.
- Brush your child’s teeth or rinse your child’s mouth after every meal. This can protect against plaque and bacteria.
- For older children, limit the amount of sweet foods and drinks that may cause cavities. For snacks between meals, try fruits and vegetables.
Trips to the dentist
Children should go to their first dentist appointments before their first birthday. Some dentists may suggest a “test visit” so your child can get used to the smells and sounds of the office.
Use this time to ask any questions you may have. You can also bring your child with you to one of your dentist visits. Then, your child can see firsthand what the appointment is like.
As your child gets older, he or she may not want to go to the dentist. Peers at school may have said the dentist was scary. Or they may have seen something on TV. But the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be such an intimidating place for children.
It’s best to not show hesitation or give into the notion that dentists are “scary” or “unfun.” Be excited for your child’s appointments — it’s helping your child stay healthy and smile bright.
Tell your child all the good things the dentist does to keep him or her healthy. If you already clean your child’s teeth regularly, this makes his or her first visit a lot easier.
When your child has lost all of his or her baby teeth, the dentist will suggest some extra steps in keeping good dental health, like flossing.
Teens and adults should floss every night before bed. Flossing and brushing daily can help prevent gum disease and cavities.
Dentists may also suggest braces for teenagers to prevent long-term problems.
Teeth and overall well-being
Children’s dental health can affect their overall health. Here are some ways taking care of those pearly whites can help in other ways:
- Keeping up with good oral hygiene will help prevent cavities and tooth decay. This saves your children from painful and dangerous infections.
- Eating healthy not only keeps your children’s teeth strong and healthy, but it keeps their bodies healthy, too. In addition to staying active, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help children feel good mentally and physically, and prevent against certain diseases.
Believe it or not, teeth help with speech and speech development. Severe tooth decay and missing teeth can make it hard to say many words. Keeping up with your children’s dental health can help them communicate better.
Self-image is important for children and teens and even for adults. Brushing and flossing daily can help keep teeth strong and white. It also helps fight against bad breath.
From the first sign of baby teeth, good dental and oral care is vital in keeping your child healthy.
Remember, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Teach your child (and yourself) how to take care of teeth, gums and mouth properly.
If you have any questions, talk to your dentist or health care professional. Keep your child healthy and smiling bright with good dental health.
The Women’s Health Task Force is a small group volunteering their time to educate women and families on important health issues. If you have an interest in health, work in a caring profession or just want to volunteer with other sincere women, consider attending our planning meetings.
These meetings are held the first Thursday of each month beginning at 12 p.m. The next meeting will be held on April 2 at the Clearfield County Career & Technology Center, 1620 River Rd., Clearfield, PA 16830.
All interested persons are encouraged to attend. Additional information is available by calling Robin Kuleck, Penn State Extension, at 814-765-7878, Ext. 2.,