The American Dental Association recognizes February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Dental care starting at an early age is very important. Early childhood tooth decay has become the most common chronic childhood disease. According to the ADA, more than 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. Kids who suffer from poor dental health are three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain.

Protect those tiny teeth. Baby teeth are so important because they help save space for a child’s permanent teeth. They stay in a child’s mouth for 8-10 years and affect their speaking, chewing, and smiling. Baby teeth can also indicate a child’s overall quality of health. Untreated tooth decay can cause oral infections that enter the bloodstream and lead to other serious health problems.

As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (cavities) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids such as milk, formula, fruit juice, and soda, which all contain sugar. Tooth decay can occur when a baby is put to bed with a bottle. If your child needs to sleep with a bottle, water is the safest option. Start brushing with the first tooth. Begin brushing your baby’s teeth when you see one coming in with an infant toothbrush and water. Children ages 2 to 6 should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a piece of rice).

Snack healthy! Try to avoid fruit juice, sports drinks, soda, fruit snacks, and sticky candies. Instead, reach for snacks that are calcium based like string cheese and low sugar yogurt. Keep your kids hydrated with good old-fashioned water. Water helps to rinse away any sugar that can lead to cavities. Many municipal water sources also contain fluoride, which is recommended by the American Dental Association and U.S. Surgeons General as an efficient way to prevent tooth decay.

Resource: childrensdentalhealth.com