Research and countless studies have shown the importance of creating good oral hygiene and health habits while our children are young. Up to 50% of first graders and almost 80% of 17-years-olds are victims of tooth decay, making it the most common chronic childhood disease.
As a result, U.S. children will miss 52 million hours of school every year as estimated by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research. The key to preventing these problems from escalating is proper oral hygiene and health care. Additionally, good oral hygiene habits can improve a child's overall health, self-image, and well-being.
Parents can encourage good dental hygiene habits and teach children why it is important. These lifelong skills should begin as early as infancy and continue for the years to come. Following are steps for a good oral hygiene routine from the American Dental Hygiene Association:
- After each feeding, use a damp washcloth to gently wipe off the infant's gums, which will stimulate the gum tissue and help remove any leftover food.
- Schedule your child's first dental health visit with a pediatric dentist at age 1.
- Children should start to learn in the importance of brushing around age 3. Help your child brush each tooth in circular motions using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Around age 7 or 8 is when children can learn how to floss. The pediatric dentists at Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry provide great tips about how to floss at dental cleanings.
- Keeping up with regular dental visits is imperative to preventing and treating dental problems, including cavities.
- Encourage open communication with your child when it comes to dental visits. In order to eliminate fear, avoid terms such as "hurt" or "pain" when talking to your child about oral hygiene and dental visits.
- Find out if your at-home water supply is fluoridated. If not, talk to one of the pediatric dentists at Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry about a supplement.
- Discuss sealant applications at your next dental appointment in order to protect your child's teeth from cavities. Also ask about preventative methods of bottle tooth decay.
At Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in maintaining open communication with our patients and their parents. Our dentists are passionate about working with children and promoting lifelong oral health. We love watching our patients grow up and we work hard to build a trusting relationship with them. We believe that when our patients trust us, they are less anxious and fearful of dental treatment and more likely to practice good oral health.
If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry or our treatments, please don't hesitate to contact our Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Highlands Ranch or Castle Pines. Our friendly staff is happy to answer any questions or schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
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