Healthy Habits for Super Smiles :: Children’s Dental Health Month

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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Super Smiles :: Oral Hygiene Habits for Kids Dental Health Month

Oral health is an important topic for all parents. We want our kids to have healthy teeth and to learn good hygiene habits at a young age, so when their adult teeth come in, they know how to take care of them.

First Dentist Visit

Once the first tooth erupts, it’s time to find a pediatric dentist. Give them a call and ask when they like to do the first visit. Some dentists will want to see your child right away, others will wait until they have a few more teeth. The ADA recommends all children be seen by age one, and once every six months thereafter. Remember to keep this a positive experience! Many adults don’t like the dentist, but parents need to put aside their personal feelings for this one.

Brushing & Flossing 

Super Smiles :: Oral Hygiene Habits for Kids Dental Health Month from Albuquerque Moms Blog

Making sure kids start brushing their teeth as soon as they erupt is the first step towards a lifetime of good habits. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), parents should start brushing teeth with a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste as soon as they erupt. Once your child can brush their own teeth, or reaches age three, they can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Be sure they brush for two minutes twice a day! There are a ton of books, timers, apps, videos, and special toothbrushes to help make brushing fun! Did you know that kids can floss as soon as they have two teeth that touch? Yep, it’s true. There are even special soft flossers for kids who are too young to use regular floss properly.

When to Visit an Orthodontist 

Another fun fact: the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that kids see an orthodontist for their first visit by age seven. Why, you ask? Because by this age they have enough permanent teeth for their developing teeth and jaws to be evaluated. Some orthodontic problems require early treatment to prevent more serious issues in the future, and many can be fixed more easily while bones are still developing. 

Oral Health=Overall Health

Remember, good oral hygiene is essential to the overall health of the entire body. According to the Mayo Clinic, overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and the resulting gum disease might play a role in some diseases that affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Brushing and flossing daily keeps this bacteria under control.

This month let’s all make an effort to get our kids into good dental habits, no matter their age! It’s never too late to shape good habits. What tips do you have for getting your kids to brush and floss regularly? We’d love to hear them!

For more information about dental hygiene for kids, visit the ADA’s website.

For information about Orthodontics and early intervention, visit the American Association of Orthodontists here.