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Innumerable
studies and research have concluded on the importance of starting children early
in their lives with good oral and dental hygiene care. Researchers say, the most
common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, which effects 50
percent of first-graders and 90 percent of 18-year-olds. Early treatment can and
will prevent these problems affecting our children's health, confidence,
self-image, and overall achievements.
The National Institute of Craniofacial Research estimated that
children will miss 52 hours of school each year due to oral health issues and
about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year due to dental
symptoms. Since there is such a significant loss in their academic endeavors,
the Surgeon General has made all children's oral health a priority.
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Parents are
responsible for ensuring their children practice good dental hygiene.
Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child's life. It is
beneficial to start in the early infancy stage. The American Dental
Hygiene Association states that good dental hygiene include the following:
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Thoroughly cleaning your infant's gums after
each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue
and removes food.
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Gently brushing your baby's erupted teeth with
a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated
toothpaste.
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Teaching your child at the age of 2 or 3 about
proper brushing techniques and later teaching them about brushing and gentle
flossing until the age of 7 and 8 years old.
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Regular visits with their dentist to check for
any cavities in the primary teeth and for possible development problems.
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Encouraging your child to discuss any fears
they may have about oral health visits, but not mentioning words like "pain" or
"hurt," since this may instill the possibility of pain in the child's thought
process.
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Determining if the water supply that serves
your home is fluoridated; if not, discuss supplement options with your dentist
or hygienist.
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Asking your hygienist or dentist about sealant
applications to protect your child's teeth-chewing surfaces and about bottle
tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to liquids high in
sugar.
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We accept most insurances!
For questions, call (408) 942-0469
Our Dentist at Comfort Dental Care
is waiting to hear from you!
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