Brushing teeth the right way is important to every child's health.

 

Related articles

Natural toothpaste for babies, toddlers, kids

Babies 101: When do babies start getting teeth? What can be done to help teething pain?

Get your toddler to want to brush his teeth with this nifty gadget

Toothbrushes for babies and toddlers to encourage brushing

Best teething toys/ baby teethers

Dental health is important for every child (and adult) but often gets overlooked. But according to the December 2009 issue of Academic Pediatrics, America is in a dental health crisis. The issue was devoted to just "Children's Oral Health.” Among the dental care statistics it reported:

• In Arizona, recent data shows that the prevalence of tooth decay in third graders is 67%.
  
• Tooth decay is STILL the most common childhood disease and if left untreated, can potentially lead to physical and psychological disabilities in children.
  
• Frequent consumption of simple sugars is significantly associated with increased tooth decay risk.
  

Recent data suggests that tooth decay is actually increasing among very young children. In fact, according to statistics in this month’s issue of Academic Pediatrics, the prevalence of tooth decay increased from 24% to 28% in children aged 2 to 5 years. This is despite the recommendations from the Surgeon General, published in the 2000 Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General and the National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health.

For more info on the Academic Pediatrics “Special Issue on Children’s Oral Health” HERE.

So when should dental care begin for a baby? Dentist, orthodontist, and mother of four Dr. Jennifer Salzer says, "Parents can start providing dental care to their children as early as 4-24 months, because proper oral care for children begins before the first tooth erupts. Oral health is an area that deserves attention from an early age, but unfortunately it is often overlooked. Poor oral health can lead to other issues as the child grows, so it’s important to instill proper habits from the beginning."

Among her recommendations:

• For children at this age (4-24 months old), parents should ensure their child visits a pediatric dental professional by their first birthday to assess risks and dental development. They should also focus on developing good bedtime habits, including brushing teeth and avoiding using feeding as a signal for bed, which can expose teeth to sugary drinks like formula or juice. Additionally, to prevent tooth decay, children should not fall asleep with a bottle that contains anything other than water.
• If the baby does not yet have teeth, parents should take precaution by gently wiping baby’s gums with a soft, clean cloth.
• And when a baby’s first teeth come in, use a toothbrush that is specifically designed to brush baby’s gums and teeth, like the Oral-B Stage 1 toothbrush.

And don't forget how important you are as a role model for your kids and their brushing habits. "The best way for parents to encourage proper brushing and establish healthy habits with their children is to brush their teeth with their children, as it often helps with children to lead by example," Dr Salzer says.

Tune in all week for children's dental week stories! Read them all HERE.