February is Children’s Dental Health Month! This is a time to focus on the importance of oral health for children. Good dental hygiene habits start at an early age. In this blog post, we will discuss children’s dental health month and provide you with all the information you need to know!

Children’s Dental Health Month

February is established as Children’s Dental Health Mont. The purpose of this is to help parents learn about dental health for their children, and to promote oral hygiene practices that will help keep their child’s teeth strong and healthy. With the help of dental and health associations and groups, Children’s Dental Health Month has grown to be a nationwide event.

Why Is Oral Health Important for Children?

When your child is young, their teeth are forming. During this time, it is important to instill healthy brushing and care habits. This will help make sure your child does not develop tooth decay. The foundation for your child’s teeth are formed during their first few years of life, so it is important to start them off on the right foot by taking care of their teeth.

Some people believe the myth that baby teeth aren’t important, however, they’re actually quite important for your child’s dental development. Baby teeth hold space for your child’s adult teeth. So, if baby teeth are lost too early due to decay, numerous problems can follow your child well into adulthood. That is why it is so important to keep your child’s baby teeth healthy! Also, when children lose their front baby teeth before permanent ones come in or they start to develop under them, they can cause problems for your child’s future adult teeth.

Lead by Example

One way you can help your child with their dental health is by setting a good example. If you take good care of your own teeth, this will help show your child how they should do the same. You can also make dental health a family affair by doing things together, such as brushing your teeth or visiting the dentist. That way, you can spend time with them teaching them about dental health and reinforcing important habits.

Some other ways you can help your child stay on the right track with dental health is by making sure they are getting their fluoride supplementation, visiting the dentist regularly, and limiting sugary treats in their diet. We’ll discuss this in further detail below.

Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth

There are many ways you can help your child stay on the right track with their dental health. However, it begins with making sure their teeth are cleaned properly. The American Dental Association offers these tips:

• Until you’re comfortable that your child can brush on his or her own, you should brush their teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. When your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin cleaning between their teeth daily.
• For children younger than 3 years, you should begin brushing children’s teeth as soon as they erupt. You should use fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night). Supervise children’s brushing to ensure that they use the appropriate amount of toothpaste.

Fluoride and Sealants for Children

It is important to make sure your child is getting the right amount of fluoride because it will strengthen your child’s teeth against decay. Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in water and other sources, and it strengthens enamel. It also helps to reduce tooth decay. Fluoride is often added to toothpastes, mouthwashes, and more. If you’re not sure of the best way to add fluoride to your child’s dental healthcare, ask your dentist!

Another helpful dental treatment for children is sealants. Sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. They can be used on the back teeth as well. However, most commonly they are applied to the chewing surfaces of children’s molars as a way to block out decay. Sealants are typically placed when your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, but you should talk to your dentist about when is the best time for sealants based on your child’s teeth.

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry

A good rule of thumb is that your child should first visit the dentist when they turn one year old, or when they get their first tooth in, whichever happens first. If it’s time to bring your child to the dentist, make an appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry today. We’re here for the whole family!