February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Why is dental health important for kids?

Did you know that 42% of children from the age 2 to 11 have had dental caries or cavities in their primary or baby teeth?

AND … did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease? That’s why promoting childrens dental health to families is important to the Marin City Health and Wellness Dental Team. Developing good dental health habits at an early age, including scheduling regular dental visits, helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. 

They can avoid many of the problems that result from poor oral health, including gum disease and tooth decay.

Here’s how to keep cavities away:

1. Start good oral habits early. Teach kids to brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly.
2. Get enough fluoride. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate teeth.
3. Limit or avoid sweet and sticky foods and drinks.

Things You Can Do to Help Your Child:

• Brush your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
• If your child is younger than 3 years, brush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
• If your child is age 3 to 6 years, brush with a rice-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Young children will want to brush their own teeth, but they need help until their hand skills are better. Brush children’s teeth or help children brush their teeth until they are about 7 or 8 years old.
• Be a role model for oral health! Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day (in the morning and at bedtime) and floss once a day.
• Serve healthy meals and snacks like fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk and milk products, whole-grain products, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, and beans.
• Limit the number of snacks your child has in a day.
• Do not give your child food for rewards.
• Take your child to the dentist for a check-up by their first birthday and keep taking them.
• If your child has not gone to the dentist take them.

Make a dental appointment today…. we look forward to seeing you!