The Foundation of Oral Health

Although parents understand the importance of oral health, many are shocked to learn that tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood disease. Many parents do not think toothaches are serious. Treatment is often delayed until the tooth becomes infected, thinking that it will just get better on its own. Tooth decay is a bacteria that continues to spread to neighboring teeth unless treated. Children with tooth decay and dental pain are prone to poor sleep habits, poor speech articulation, missed school and lower performance, and chewing difficulty which all affect overall health and development.

The foundation of oral health begins as an infant and continues as children learn the importance of taking care of their own teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first visit to the dentist by their first birthday. Early prevention is the key to a positive attitude about oral health in later years. Pediatric dentists are the “pediatricians” of dentistry and receive specialized training beyond dental school to treat the needs of primary teeth, children with special healthcare needs, those who are medically compromised, behaviorally challenged, or extremely anxious, and have hospital affiliations to treat children who need treatment under sedation.

Key tips for parents: After bottle feeding wipe the infant’s mouth with a cloth to prevent early childhood caries (baby bottle decay). Brush your child’s teeth, at least once a day, until the child can neatly write their own name (typically till the age of 8). Early and routine dental visits, recommended every six months, combined with good dental habits and dietary practices, can prevent, slow, or even reverse the caries process in children and promote healthy smiles.

Contact Kidsmile, Inc. Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about preventative and routine care, at www.kidsmileinc.com.