Resources: www.cdc.gov, www.mouthhealthy.org, www.mychildrensteeth.org
When it comes to a child’s oral health, parents play a crucial role. The parent is the first person who can teach a child that healthy teeth and gums are important. Dental health influences a child’s ability to speak and eat properly. Below, parents can find information to help make their children’s oral health a priority.
A child’s dental health care begins in the womb because even during pregnancy, the developing fetus’ oral health can be affected. After the child is born, parents can begin to take steps to promote good oral hygiene as the infant develops their first few teeth. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents take their child to the dentist by the child’s first birthday or as soon as the child’s first tooth appears. After the child’s first dental exam, parents should continue scheduling regular dental visits for the child to the dentist for regular visits and should follow the dentist’s recommendations.
Before parents take the child to the dentist for the first time, they should help the child understand what to expect. During the first appointment, the dentist will:
1) clean the child’s teeth,
2) give tips for daily oral hygiene,
3) examine for oral injuries or cavities,
4) notify you if the child is at risk for developing tooth decay,
5) discuss behaviors that may affect oral health,
6) set up your next visit.
When the parent actually takes the child to their very first appointment, they need to be aware that children can detect their parents’ emotions. If the parents are experiencing anxiety or personal concerns about the visit, it is best not to talk about those emotions with the child. Also, in an effort to have the best possible visit, parents should consider scheduling the appointment in the morning when children are typically more rested and cooperative.
In addition to attending dental visits, parents can promote oral health at home by encouraging kids to brush and floss their teeth and to eat healthy meals and snacks.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, parents can teach their children to brush their teeth at a young age. For preventing cavities, parents should use a fluoride toothpaste when helping their child brush. But if children younger than 6 years of age ingest too much fluoride, their permanent teeth may have white spots, so parents should follow these guidelines.
Children under age 2: use a smear of fluoride toothpaste for brushing.
Children over age 2: use a pea-sized amount.
In the morning and at night, parents should help their children brush with fluoride toothpaste. Children should also floss once every day. Kids younger than 6 years old should not use products like fluoride mouth rinse unless their dentist specifically recommends it. Until age 7 or 8, children will likely need help brushing their teeth properly since they are still developing their fine motor skills.
Parents need to understand that another very important aspect of a child’s oral health is their nutrition. Healthy snacks and nutritious meals are critical to a child’s developing teeth. Parents should ensure that their child consumes well-balanced meals and healthy snacks.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a healthy meal as one that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and lean proteins. Fruits and vegetables should be half of the child’s daily food. Half of the child’s grains should be whole grains (examples include: whole wheat bread, brown rice or oatmeal). Dairy should be low-fat or fat-free options. Examples of lean proteins include lean beef, skinless poultry and fish. The USDA recommends eating 8 oz. of seafood every week. Beans, peas and eggs are other examples of foods that contain protein.
At snack time, children may think that items like chips or soda seem appealing. But parents should encourage them to select foods that will satisfy hunger and teach them to promote healthy living. Starchy or sugary foods don’t need to be completely eliminated from a child’s diet, but parents should use caution and limit the amount of these foods.
Following these steps can help parents prevent their children from getting tooth decay. Tooth decay, the most common chronic childhood disease, can interfere with a child’s ability to play, learn, eat, sleep or speak, and untreated, it can lead to infections and pain. But by maintaining good oral hygiene habits, parents can help reduce their children’s risk, save money and encourage health throughout their child’s lifetime of dental care.
