With children and toddlers heading back to school or childcare, it’s the perfect time to remind parents about the importance of good oral health habits, with a few lesser known facts.
Did you know that tooth extractions are the most common reason for hospital admissions in children aged 6 to 10? On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care. Poor oral health can also lead to speech concerns, low self-esteem, and lifelong health challenges.
That is why dental visits should begin earlier than you may think. Your child’s first dentist appointment should be scheduled before his or her first birthday. Northeast Delta Dental has a Dentist by One program that talks about this important step in an infant’s oral health care. As an organization we also support a number of early caries (cavity) prevention programs throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to ensure children have access to the oral health care they need.
Besides getting your child to the dentist early I recommend brushing up (pun intended) on some preventive facts.
Adults shouldn’t put pacifiers in their mouths.
We know in a sticky situation it’s seems like the easiest solution, but popping a pacifier into your mouth to clean it for an infant is not recommended. You can pass on bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease from the adult’s mouth to the child.
Sealants save molars.
Sealants are a protective coating applied to the grooves of molars to prevent cavities. When applied to new molars, sealants can reduce cavities by 70 percent!
Kids flourish with fluoride.
Fluoride is proven to reduce tooth decay by strengthening the tooth’s enamel, protecting the surface to better resist decay by at least 25%! Following the widespread introduction of community water fluoridation in the 1950s and 1960s, the United States experienced massive reductions in the prevalence of tooth decay. Dentists recommend two fluoride treatments a year and the use of fluoride toothpaste. If fluoridated water isn’t available speak to your dentist, they can provide other options including a possible recommendation to get supplemental fluoride drops.
The other fluoride – SDF.
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a liquid solution used to treat and prevent tooth decay by stopping the progression of a cavity with a non-invasive and cost-effective treatment option. It is particularly beneficial for children and those who may not tolerate traditional dental procedures since no drilling or anesthesia is needed.
Encourage your children to brush and floss twice daily, and schedule preventive cleaning appointments twice a year, because every child deserves a healthy smile.