February is Children’s Dental Health Month!

Unfortunately, there are so many children in the United States who suffer from tooth decay and cavities. In fact, dental issues are one of the most common health afflictions that children suffer from. Although cavities and tooth decay are the two most common oral afflictions, children can also suffer from:

• Infections
  
• Dental abscesses
  
• Chronic pain
  
• Inability to chew certain kinds of foods/reduced appetite
  

When children are suffering from oral health issues, there is an increased chance that they are going to miss school, which in these days, is definitely a major concern since instruction time in school is extremely important. It is estimated that in the United States, school-age children miss around 51 million hours of school annually, because of dental related issues. And then for some children, even when they are in school, they may be unable to concentrate if they are suffering from tooth pain.  

Like with many other types of health issues, prevention is crucial when it comes to oral health problems. It is important to establish a good oral hygiene routine that your child is able to follow. If your child is still young, they may require supervision so parents can oversee and make sure that their child knows the right way to brush their teeth, floss and use mouth rinse.  

Other important habits that should be encouraged for young children are:

• Brushing their teeth after eating something high in sugar, such as suckers, popsicles or candy
  
• Brushing teeth after meals
  
• Flossing at least once a day
  
• Drinking tap water with fluoride or using a mouthwash with fluoride
  

It is also important that your child sees their dentist on a regular basis. With routine dental care, many dental health problems can be caught and treated early, before they become a bigger problem. Children should see their dentist twice a year. Call now to schedule your child’s appointment.