Dental Health
teeth and gums healthy). Five times as widespread as asthma and
seven times as common as hay fever, tooth decay remains one of the most common preventable diseases of childhood. It’s important to know that kids do not lose all their baby teeth before age 11 or 12; therefore, it is essential to protect their teeth from cavities. If left untreated, dental decay can lead to infection and cause pain. More so, tooth decay prevents kids from proper eating, speaking, sleeping and learn- ing. Children as young as 12 to 18 months can get cavities. Taking care of your child’s baby teeth helps guide the permanent teeth into place, helps with jaw and face formation and adds to your child’s overall good health.
Kids may be at risk for cavities if they eat a lot of sugary foods (raisins, cookies and candy) and drink sweet liquids (fruit juice/punch, soda and iced tea). Diets full of carbonated beverages and juice contribute to acid erosion of tooth enamel. Even healthy diets can be full of acidic foods high in ascorbic acid, such as citrus fruits, berries and juice. Children who were born prematurely, who have ongoing special health care needs, who have white or brown spots on their teeth or who seldom see the dentist may also be at risk for cavities. You should not allow your kids to skip meals, as doing so is not good for oral health. Skipping meals could allow the mouth to become basic (have an increased pH), which leads to bacterial growth. It is recommended that parents super- vise tooth brushing at least twice daily until
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Tooth decay remains one of the most com- mon preventable diseases of childhood
age six to ensure correct skill level. Teach your child to hold the brush at a slight angle to the tooth and use short, back- and-forth strokes, and to brush the inside and outside surfaces as well as the chewing surface and the tongue. Children older than age three should use fl uoride tooth- paste and a soft-bristle brush. Change your child’s toothbrush every three months. Children who do not live in communi-
ties with fl uoridated water benefi t from the application of fl uoride varnish to their teeth to help stop or prevent decay. Ask your child’s health care provider, dentist or water utility provider if your community has fl uoride in the water and if supple- ments are necessary. When all primary teeth have come in
(usually around age 2 ½), your dentist may start applying topical fl uoride. Fluoride hardens the tooth enamel, helping to ward off cavities. Cavities occur when bacteria and food left on the teeth after eating are
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