As a parent, you question yourself a lot. Do you let them watch too much television? Are they eating healthy enough? Are they eating enough of anything at all? Well, one area that you don’t want to forget is your child’s oral health. Are you doing what’s necessary to ensure that your child has strong, healthy teeth? It may surprise you to learn that your child’s mouth can affect them in many significant ways. For National Children’s Dental Health Month this February, check out this helpful information about this issue and what you can do to protect your child’s mouth.
What Is the Main Dental Health Problem That Children Face?
Children under 18 are most at risk of developing cavities. In fact, cavities are the most common chronic condition that children face in the United States. Your child is 5 times more likely to have a cavity than to have asthma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 20 percent of children ages 5 through 11 have at least one untreated tooth with decay.
How Can a Cavity Affect My Child?
Cavities can present surprising ill effects on children, particularly those who still have their baby teeth, which have a thinner protective layer of enamel. Younger ones may experience pain or infections but be unable to clearly communicate about their symptoms. As a result, their cavity can cause problems with speaking, eating, playing, and learning. In fact, studies show that children with poor oral health earn lower grades than those with good oral health. Your child’s social interaction or confidence can also be impaired by cavities.
What Can I Do to Help My Child’s Dental Health?
As a parent, you can do a lot to make sure your child has strong dental health. Here are the, basic habits that your child needs to learn to help prevent cavities:
- Brush at least twice daily.
- Floss at least once daily.
- Visit their pediatric dentist for checkups and cleanings twice annually.
There are other things you can do to help set your child up for dental success in the long term, including:
- Limit their consumption of sugar or carbohydrates.
- Get dental sealants put on your child’s permanent teeth.
- Have your children’s dentist apply a fluoride treatment on your child’s teeth at their checkup.
- Give them water, preferably fluoridated, to drink instead of juice or soda.
You would do anything to protect your child, wouldn’t you? That includes their mouth. In the end, your child’s dental health matters for their development and growth. This month, take the opportunity to evaluate how well you’re handling your child’s oral health. Cavities can be prevented so that your child can keep playing, learning, and smiling with happy and healthy teeth for years to come.
About the Practice
Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry is based in Denver, CO, but it serves many of the surrounding areas as well. Both Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack have their own children and know the challenges of parenthood, but as board-certified pediatric dentists, they have undergone years of additional advanced training for infants all the way through teenagers. As a result, our team can provide beneficial advice and care. Do you have questions about your child’s dental healthcare routine? Give us a call at 720-647-6310 or make an appointment by reaching out to us online here.