When I was a kid I really did not enjoy going to the dentist, or taking care of my dental health in general. Now that I’m a health professional, this is certainly disappointment in my past self. Thanks to my parents’ reminders I brushed my teeth, and of course went to dentist appointments because they made the appointments and drove me there. I bring this up because February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! If you have kids in your life there are some ways you can help them embrace dental health.
Cavities (tooth decay) is one of the most common chronic illness among children. When left untreated cavities can cause pain, infections and can lead to difficulties speaking, eating and learning. More than 1 in 5 kids between the ages of 2 and 5 years old has at least one cavity in their baby teeth. However, cavities are preventable. Starting good dental health habits when your child is young will help prepare them for taking care of the dental health throughout their life.
Caring for your child’s dental health can start even before they’re born by caring for your mouth while you’re pregnant. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants to raise awareness of this important topic. Pregnant people can be more susceptible to gum disease and cavities, which can import their baby’s health. To prevent these issues, people who are pregnant should brush their teeth twice per-day, and floss once per-day. In addition, be sure to schedule a dentist appointment while you schedule other prenatal appointments. Not only are dental appointments safe while you’re pregnant, they’re incredibly important.
After your baby is born they’ll have an adorable, gummy smile — but their baby teeth are right underneath their gums. Even before they start teething you can start to care for their gums, and get them used to the feeling and process of brushing their future teeth. In the morning after their first feeding, and then at night before bed you can wipe their gums with a soft, clean cloth. This helps wipe away sugars and bacteria that can cause cavities. After your baby’s first tooth arrives you can start brushing twice per-day with a smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. When you start brushing your baby’s teeth it is important to use non-fluoride toothpaste that is safe to swallow. Your baby’s first dentist appointment is an exciting milestone — it’s recommended to get it scheduled before your baby’s first birthday to spot any signs of problems early.
As your child gets older it’s important to continue brushing their teeth twice per-day. Once a child can brush their own teeth parents can continue to supervise to make sure that they spit out the toothpaste, and provide any assistance until the child is capable of correctly brushing on their own. Nutritious foods and drinks are also an important part of dental health. Eating a large amount of sugary foods and drinks such as soda, candy, juice, and baked goods can lead to tooth decay. Make sure to include a wide variety of foods from different food groups like fruits and vegetables, as well cheese or yogurt, peanut butter, and whole grains in your child’s meals.
It’s recommended that everyone, including kids, visit the dentist every six months. At a dentist appointment, your child’s teeth will be cleaned, the dentist can assess the health of their teeth and gums, and teach kids important information about taking care of their mouth. This can also be a time for parents to ask important questions. For kids under the age of two, parents should consult their child’s dentist about when to switch to a toothpaste with fluoride in it. Parents are also encouraged to talk with their child’s dentist about fluoride varnish as soon as their child gets their first tooth, fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. As your child gets a little older you can talk to your dentist about sealants which is a thin, plastic coating that will seal out food and germs to help protect against decay.
Parents interested in learning more about children’s dental health can check out the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/index.html.
Green County families who do not have dental insurance or those who have ForwardHealth may be able to get dental care through Fowler Dental Clinic in Monroe. At this time, due to capacity limitations Fowler may have to periodically limit the number of new patients they can accept, please call (608) 328-9404 to ask about availability. For more information about other free and reduced-fee dental services in southern Wisconsin please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/guide/freedental.htm.
— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greengountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
