Dental care for children essential to lifelong healthy smile

  • Published
  • By Maj. (Dr.) Marie-Antonette Brancato
  • 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The American Dental Association has made February National Children's Dental Health Month. The slogans for this year's campaign are, "A Healthy Smile? It's Easy to Find! Remember to brush & floss everyday!" and "A Healthy Smile Looks Good Up Close."

It is necessary to start a regular and good dental regimen at an early age to avoid health problems and diseases at a later stage in life. Oral hygiene is very important for children, as poor oral hygiene may lead to poor health and other dental diseases. Tooth decay, such as cavities, affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Cavities and gum disease not only affect the physical appearance of a person but can also lead to other serious health problems. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning.

Ways to keep a child's teeth healthy begins when a child is a newborn. Parents should start cleaning a newborn's mouth within a few days after birth. As the child begins to grow, the baby's gums and teeth can be wiped with a wet wash cloth after each meal to help remove plaque that gets accumulated on the gums and teeth. To properly care for the teeth, a child should be taught how to brush, clean and floss teeth properly.

Here are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child. Children should be supervised until they get the hang of these simple steps:

· Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque - the sticky film on teeth that's the main cause of tooth decay.
· Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning. · Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals and avoid frequent between-meal snacking. Eat a well-balanced diet that limits starchy or sugary foods, which produce plaque acids that cause tooth decay.
· Make sure that your children's drinking water is fluorinated. If your water supply, municipal, well, or bottled water does not contain fluoride, your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe daily fluoride supplements.
· Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups.

Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life. Teaching your child proper oral care at a young age is an investment in their health that will pay lifelong dividends. You can start by setting an example; taking good care of your own teeth sends a message that oral health is something to be valued. Anything that makes taking care of teeth fun, like brushing along with your child or letting them choose their own toothbrush, encourages proper oral care and a child's healthy smile.