Every February is dedicated as National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness to the importance of early childhood dental care and oral hygiene habits. Dental professionals from around the world come together to promote the health of young smiles. As a parent, you can support the cause by fostering healthy oral hygiene habits at home while taking your child to the dentist twice a year.

Importance of Dental Care for Children

All too often, parents believe that children do not require dental care because the baby teeth eventually fall out; however, this could not be further from the truth. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends that children begin to see their dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup before their first birthday.

With early dental care, it helps teach your child the importance of dental health while also building a trusted relationship with their dental team. At each appointment, their teeth will be thoroughly cleaned while a comprehensive checkup is performed. By monitoring the health and development of their teeth regularly, it allows your dentist to intervene early when an issue does arise. This lessens the need for an invasive or costly procedure in the future.

Foster Healthy Smiles at Home

In addition to care from a children’s dentist in Ellington, the oral hygiene habits that your child learns at home are equally as important. As soon as their first baby tooth erupts, they need to have their teeth brushed twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that accommodates the size of their mouth.

As your child ages, their teeth will begin to move closer together, usually around the age of 5. At this time, you can begin to introduce flossing. Teach them how to clean in between each tooth every night before going to bed.

Not only will they need to learn how to brush and floss, but also how to protect their teeth from cavities. Encourage a healthy diet that is limited in sugars and starches, which can lead to tooth decay. If they participate in sports, encourage the use of an athletic mouthguard to help protect their teeth.

For added protection it is best to have your child drink tap water instead of bottled. Tap water contains fluoride, which is known as “nature’s cavity fighter.” It will help to strengthen their enamel to better ward off tooth decay.

Promote a Healthy Smile

In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, take the time to encourage proper oral hygiene habits at home. If your child has not had a dental appointment this year, it is time to schedule their next visit.

About Zahner Dental

Zahner Dental has provided comprehensive dental care to the community for almost 40 years. Our team combines high-quality services with a compassionate approach to foster generations of healthy smiles. We treat young patients to help set the right foundation to promote a lifelong commitment to dental health. If your child needs a cleaning or checkup, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.