By Toi Degree
N.C. Cooperative Extension

Smile! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) — a great time to promote the benefits of good oral hygiene. Developing good dental health habits (including regular dental visits) helps children get a jump start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

New parents often ask, “When should my child first see a dentist?” It’s never too early to begin focusing on your child’s oral health. The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents establish a dental home for their child by their first tooth or first birthday. During this time, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to ask questions and address any dental concerns at the primary visit, and the dentist will gently swab the child’s mouth to check their gums and any erupted teeth. As the child starts teething, the dentist will be able to monitor their progress and implement preventative measures for any concerns with your baby’s teeth.

Baby teeth are so important because of their key role of saving space for a child’s permanent teeth. They stay in a child’s mouth for 8-10 years and affect their speaking, chewing, and, of course, 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 while allowing bacteria to spread to new adult teeth.

While daily brushing is an important part of a child’s oral hygiene routine, bacteria that cause tooth decay can still linger between teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. That’s why it’s so important to help your kids incorporate flossing into their daily routine.

One significant oral health risk for infants and young children under the age of 1 is baby bottle tooth decay. This occurs when your child consumes sugary liquid and bacteria in their mouth consume the sugar and produce acid. This acid attacks the enamel on baby teeth and can trigger tooth decay after continued exposure. Liquids that contribute to this condition include milk, formula, fruit juice, soda and any other sweetened drinks. If your child needs to sleep with a bottle, water is the safest option without any risk.

Pediatric dentists recommend the following oral health tips to start your little ones on their journey to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

• Schedule routine check-ups. If it’s been more than six months since your child has seen a dentist, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
• Clean your baby’s gums daily. Until those teeth come in, gently wipe a damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria after each feeding.
• Start brushing with the first tooth. Begin brushing your baby’s teeth when you see one coming in with an infant toothbrush. Use water and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).

• Brush twice each day for two minutes. Children ages 2-6 should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Always supervise kids younger than six years old while brushing, as they are more likely to swallow toothpaste.
• Begin flossing. Once your child’s teeth touch, you can start flossing in between them.
• Snack healthy. Fruit juice, sports drinks, fruit snacks and sticky candies all pose serious threats to your child’s teeth. Give kids calcium-rich snacks like cheese or low-sugar yogurt. If you must resort to candy — a chocolate bar is preferable to gummy or sticky sweets that can get lodged in between the teeth, even after brushing.
• Keep them hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks and stick to good old-fashioned water. Water helps to rinse away any sugar or particles that can lead to cavities. Many municipal water sources also contain fluoride, which is recommended by the American Dental Association and U.S. Surgeon General, among others, as an efficient way to prevent tooth decay. In fact, the theme of this year’s National Children’s Dental Health Month is celebrating 75 years of water fluoridation.
• Replace your child’s toothbrush every three to four months.

Remember, starting early is the key because early childhood tooth decay has become the most common chronic childhood disease, impacting more children than asthma. According to the ADA, more than 40 percent of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. Additionally, kids who suffer from poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school because of dental pain.

Prevention is important for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Toi N. Degree is associate family and consumer education agent with the Rowan County Extension.