Dental Care: Preserving Those Bright Smiles
by Sara Whitaker
As parents, the instinct to protect our children begins even before they arrive in this world. But, once they make their debut, our senses are heightened and we ask ourselves the age-old question — “Am I doing everything I can to make sure that my children are safe and healthy?” From ensuring they are buckled into those car seats or boosters to slathering them with sunscreen to maintaining a strict well-child visit schedule, we do everything we can to start them off right and to keep them safe … or do we?
We help our kiddos brush those snaggle-toothed smiles each day and night, but do we really consider our children’s oral health as a part of their overall well-being? The statistics would suggest that we do not. According to some research, tooth decay is extremely prevalent beginning at a very early age. Approximately 20 percent of all two to four-year-olds and more than 50 percent of eight years olds experience tooth decay. That number skyrockets to 75 percent at the age of 17!
In our area, there is one glaring factor that puts our children at a disadvantage from birth — our local water supply is not fluoridated. Fluoride is essential to strengthening tooth enamel and it is essential to preventing tooth decay. Because our water supply does not have fluoride, we have to be vigilant to prevent the children in our area from becoming part of these eye-opening statistics.
Luckily, fluoride supplements are available (and necessary) to ensure the proper amount for our children’s teeth. These supplements come in a number of varieties, like mouthwashes and gels. There are even fluoride drops and pills available. Supplements should be taken daily beginning at six months of age until age 16. It’s important to discuss this with your child’s dentist as you do not want your child to be over-fluoridated.
Here’s some more good news — tooth decay is completely preventable. There are plenty of steps we can take to help prevent tooth decay:
Brush, Brush, Brush
Brushing should begin as soon as teeth erupt or even before. Make it part of your children’s morning and bedtime routines and make it fun! (At my house, animals rule! We sing a song, get fun toothbrushes and say “What does the hippo do?” and we arch our necks and open wide!)
No Bottles at Bedtime
This is key. Putting your child to bed with a bottle might be a comfort for him today, but the milk or juice can pool in your child’s mouth, causing rapid decay and a host of dental issues in the years to come.
Look out for Carbs
Carbohydrate-rich foods like candy, cookies, fruit roll-ups, bread, potatoes, pasta and rice can leave deposits that breed bacteria and cause decay.
Drink Responsibly
Soft drinks and even fruit juices can leave deposits that form plaque. This forms acids that can damage the mineral structure of the teeth.
Early Preventative Care
Just as your child sees a pediatrician or family practitioner to monitor her physical health, regular dental examinations reinforce the importance of oral hygiene and establish dental health as a vital part of your child’s overall health.
