Med group teaches children dental health

Airman Garrett Zachry

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, an event designed to help children and parents focus on the importance of oral health and promote good nutritional habits. This year dentists and dental technicians from the 27th Medical Group Dental Flight visited three Clovis schools and the Child Development Centers. The staff spoke to children about their oral health care and gave out toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Maintaining a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime starts with a child’s first tooth. Primary teeth or “baby teeth” are important because they help with proper chewing, speech development and contribute to a child’s esthetic appearance. Healthy primary teeth also maintain space for permanent teeth and guide them into their proper place in the mouth. Premature loss of a primary tooth may cause the permanent teeth to erupt incorrectly. This causes misalignment of the teeth and an improper bite which may necessitate orthodontic procedures for correction. In addition, decayed primary teeth can cause pain, infections and can have devastating effects on the permanent teeth.

Good habits develop early in life. As caregivers, it is essential to teach proper oral hygiene and help children establish an oral home care routine early in life. Doing so will act as a foundation for a lifetime of good oral hygiene and ensure a healthy smile.

Oral care should begin long before a child has his first tooth. A baby’s mouth and gums should be gently swiped with a piece of gauze or wet washcloth at least once daily. As the first tooth erupts, generally around 6 months of age, a small soft toothbrush and water can be used. Eventually, around the age of 3, children should start brushing two to three times a day. Parents are encouraged to help children brush until they are proficient in handling the toothbrush on their own, about the age of 6, but should be supervised until they are 7 or 8.

Fluoridated toothpaste is not recommended by the American Dental Association until a child is 2 or older and then only use a pea-sized amount, making sure the child spits it out and does not swallow it. Parents are also encouraged to floss their child’s teeth as soon as any two teeth touch together. Fluoride rinses and other dental products may be recommended as children mature.

Nutrition also plays an important role in good dental health. Eating nutritional snacks and limiting the amount of sugary drinks will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth. Anything sweet, starchy or sticky can promote cavities, especially if a child grazes on these foods throughout the day. Try to limit children to two or three snacks a day and encourage him or her to eat raw fruit, vegetables, nuts and non-sugary drinks. If a child still drinks from a bottle, it is crucial to avoid letting them spend hours sipping sweet liquids such as juice, soda or milk which may lead to a dental condition known as “baby bottle tooth decay.”

Healthy habits start early on in life. Get children off to a right start with early dental visits, proper oral hygiene and good nutrition so they will have a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.