By Beverly Cabanatan, RDH, BS
For Variety

THE prevention of cavities is not the only concern parents should have when considering their children’s oral health. Recent studies have shown that periodontal disease continues to plague millions of Americans, including children.
Instilling proper oral habits early is the best way to ensure that your child does not get cavities or gingivitis. Good oral hygiene routines should be established as early as infancy and continued throughout life. Here are some tips to ensure your child’s smile lasts a lifetime.
• Even before teeth begin to erupt, thoroughly clean your infant’s gums after each feeding with a water-soaked washcloth to stimulate the gum tissue and remove food.
• When the baby’s teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent decay. Fluoride works by stopping or even reversing the tooth decay process. It keeps the tooth enamel strong and solid by preventing the loss of important minerals from the tooth enamel. Fluoride is also found in mouth rinses, community water supplies, and in some foods. If there is not fluoride in your water, discuss supplement options with your dental hygienist.
• At age two or three, you can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques. But remember, you will need to follow up with brushing and gentle flossing until age seven or eight, when the child has the dexterity to do it alone. Also, the best way to motivate your child to have good oral homecare is to brush and floss together. This makes brushing fun and when they see you doing it, they will want to do it to!
• Schedule regular oral health appointments starting around your child’s first birthday. Your dentist will check for cavities in the primary teeth and watch for developmental problems. The doctor and dental hygienist want to create a positive experience that may alleviate fear at future visits.
• Allow and encourage your child to discuss any fears he or she might have about oral health visits, but do not mention the words “hurt” or “pain.” Saying “it won’t hurt” instills the possibility of pain in the child’s thought process.
• Also your child may need sealant applications to help protect the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth against tooth decay. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.
Remember that prevention is the key to a healthy smile as well as developing good oral hygiene habits!
February was Children’s Dental Health Month. It was instituted in the U.S. to bring awareness and education about the issues facing children and their oral health. For more information on how to take care your child’s teeth better or for a free exam for your child, call the Seventh-Day Adventist Clinic at 234-6323.