Ask Your Edinburg Dentist: Children’s Dental Health Month

Tooth decay and bad oral health are almost entirely preventable! That being said, did you know:

• Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting children today
• Kids with poor dental health are almost three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain than their fellow students with good oral health
• School absences that are caused by toothaches are associated with poorer performance in school

With these statistics in mind, it is a huge priority in the dental industry to educate and emphasize the importance of proper dental health for our children, starting at an early age.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Through the month of February, thousands of committed dentists along with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the American Dental Association raise awareness on the importance of good dental and oral health in children. The campaign slogan for this year’s Children’s Dental Health Month is “Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile.” The campaign message encourages kids to choose tap water with fluoride over sugary drinks to help promote good oral health. Fun kid’s activity sheets about good oral health and the 2017 National Children’s Dental Health Month campaign can be found here!

So, how can you do your part to help your child keep their smile sparkling and mouths healthy? At Palm Valley Dental in Edinburg, we recommend your child visit a dentist by their first birthday, and then have regular dental check-ups every six months. It’s also recommended that your child brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Follow proper toothpaste measurement instructions to ensure little ones are using a safe amount! Flossing daily is also important once baby teeth begin to touch, because flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing can’t. You can also check with your Edinburg dentist about a fluoride supplement which helps tooth enamel become harder and more resistant to decay.

Now is a great time to schedule your child’s dental check-up with our dentist at Palm Valley Dental in Edinburg. Let’s start early with the kids in Edinburg to promote a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums for the children in our community.

Online Sources

1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NewsAndFeatures/Announcements/ChildrensDentalHealthMonth.htm
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222359/
3. http://dentistry.usc.edu/2012/08/10/poor-oral-health-can-mean-missed-school-lower-grades/
4. http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/childrens-oral-care/article/ADA-02-national-childrens-dental-health-month
5. http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month
6. http://www.kidsmentalhealth.org/national-childrens-dental-health-month/
7. http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month