Brush Up on Oral Health Tips for Children’s Dental Health Month

New parents often ask, “When should my child first see a dentist?” It’s never too early to start focusing on your child’s oral health! The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents establish a dental home for their child by their first tooth or first birthday. During this time, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to ask questions and address any dental concerns at the primary visit and the dentist will gently swab the child’s mouth to check their gums and any erupted teeth. As the child starts teething, the dentist will be able to monitor their progress and implement preventative measures for any concerns with your baby’s teeth.

婴儿牙齿是如此重要，因为他们为孩子恒牙节约空间的关键作用。他们留在一个孩子的嘴里8-10年，并影响他们的口语，咀嚼，以及微笑。婴儿牙齿也可以表明孩子的整体健康质量。未经处理的蛀牙可引起口服感染，进入血液并导致其他严重的健康问题，同时也让细菌传播到新的成年牙齿。

虽然日常刷牙是儿童口腔卫生常规的重要组成部分，但导致蛀牙的细菌仍然可以在牙刷无法达到的牙齿之间徘徊。这就是为什么帮助您的孩子在日常常规中纳入牙线非常重要。

One significant oral health risk for infants and young children under the age of 1 is from baby bottle tooth decay. This occurs when your child consumes sugary liquid and bacteria in their mouth consume the sugar and produce acid. This acid attacks the enamel on baby teeth can trigger tooth decay after continued exposure. Liquids that contribute to this condition include milk, formula, fruit juice, soda, and any other sweetened drinks. If your child needs to sleep with a bottle, water is the safest option without any risk.

Early childhood tooth decay has become the most common chronic childhood disease, impacting more children than asthma. According to the ADA, more than 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they reach Kindergarten. Additionally, kids who suffer from poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school as a result of dental pain.

The State of Pennsylvania has tried to tackle this oral health epidemic by requiring each child to receive a dental examination before enrolling in school, as well as in the 3rd and 7th grades. However, without regular six-month check-ups and establishing healthy oral health habits at an early age, small cavities can lead to much larger problems in little mouths.

Our doctors take pride in serving patients in such vital years of early childhood. As pediatric dentists, they’ve had additional training beyond dental school to work specifically with babies and children in monitoring early oral development. We recommend the following oral health tips to start your little ones on their journey to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

• 安排日常检查。如果是被超过six months since your child has seen a dentist, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
• 每天清洁宝宝的牙龈。直到那些牙齿轻轻地擦拭牙龈上的湿毛巾，在每次进料后都清除有害细菌。
• Start brushing with the first tooth. Begin brushing your baby’s teeth when you see one coming in with an infant toothbrush. Use water and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
• 每天刷两次两分钟。2-6岁的儿童应使用豌豆大小的氟化物牙膏。在刷牙时总是监督比六岁年轻的孩子，因为它们更有可能吞下牙膏。
• 开始使用牙线。一旦你的孩子的牙齿接触，你就可以在它们之间开始牙线。
• Snack healthy! Fruit juice, sports drinks, fruit snacks, and sticky candies all pose serious threats to your child’s teeth. Give kids calcium-rich snacks like cheese or low-sugar yogurt. If you have to resort to candy – a chocolate bar is preferable to gummy or sticky sweets that can get lodged in between the teeth, even after brushing.
• Keep them hydrated! Avoid sugary drinks and stick to good old-fashioned water. Water helps to rinse away any sugar or particles that can lead to cavities. Many municipal water sources also contain fluoride, which is recommended by the American Dental Association and U.S. Surgeons General, among others, as an efficient way to prevent tooth decay. In fact, the theme of this year’s National Children’s Dental Health Month is celebrating 75 years of water fluoridation.
• 将您的孩子的牙刷替换每三到四个月。