February is National Children's Dental Health Month

  • Published
  • By Mercy Padgett, R.D.H.
  • 341st Medical Group Dental Clinic
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The month of February has been named National Children's Dental Health month. It is sponsored every year by the American Dental Association to raise awareness among families and policymakers about the critical importance to children of good practices of oral health. The future to their oral health starts as early as infancy and remains throughout their life. Even with all the advances in health promotion, tooth decay still remains a serious public health problem. It is still the most common chronic childhood disease that will not resolve without treatment. Today, it is possible for children to reach adulthood without ever experiencing a cavity. 

Oral hygiene instructions should be given at an early age. For infants, you should wipe the gums with a clean wet washcloth after feedings. This can help remove plaque and food residue that can harm teeth even before they erupt. Once the primary teeth start to erupt, the parent has to begin instilling good cleaning habits by beginning to brush their child's teeth at least twice a day. You should always remember to use an infant toothpaste that is safe for swallowing. Remember to never put your child to bed with a bottle of milk, to include breast milk or juice. 

Once a child reaches two years of age, the child can start to learn how to brush for themselves. The parent should continue to brush behind their children, to ensure nothing is missed, until good brushing habits are formed. It is still important at this stage to continue to use a toothpaste designed for their age. The reason for this is that children's taste buds are a hundred times more sensitive than adult taste buds. As a helpful tip, once a child learns to write their ABCs, then they can start to learn how to floss. It is important to incorporate flossing into a child's routine at an early age. Brushing cleans the teeth, whereas flossing cleans the gums and areas between the teeth that brushes can't reach. 

By the age of five, children should be brushing their teeth every morning for two to two and a half minutes. After lunch, encourage them to swish with water when brushing is not possible. Right after dinner, floss first then brush and rinse with mouthwash. If they eat anything that has carbohydrates in it after dinner for a snack, then they need to brush again. 

The ADA recommended regular dental check-ups, including a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruptions of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday. Preventive care such as cleanings, and if necessary, fluoride treatments, provide children with 'smile' insurance. Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be easily treated in the early stages, when damage is still minimal. 

CLEANING YOUR TEETH AND GUMS
The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene in adults: 

· Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

· Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. 

· Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. 

· Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. 

Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease. ADA-accepted antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes have substantiated these claims by demonstrating significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. Fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children age six or younger because they may swallow the rinse. Consumers should always check the manufacturer's label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with their dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse. 

Talk to your dentist about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral hygiene products.