Massachusetts Dental Society Shares Five Tips for Children’s Dental Health Month

SOUTHBOROUGH — February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month, a month-long national health observance sponsored by the American Dental Assoc. to raise public awareness about the importance of children’s oral health.

“Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical to maintaining good oral health throughout life,” said Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) President Dr. Janis Moriarty. “Dental decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. But with good nutrition, proper care, and regular dental visits, children can maintain healthy mouths — and healthy smiles.”

To help promote the benefits of establishing good oral health habits at an early age, the MDS offers parents and caregivers these five tips:

• Oral health care should start from day one. It’s essential to begin oral health care as soon as the baby is born. Clean his or her gums gently with a clean gauze pad or washcloth after each feeding. Parents should brush their baby’s teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of water as soon as the first tooth appears, typically between six months and one year.

• Children’s teeth should be brushed for at least two minutes, at least twice a day. While it’s okay to let children take a turn, parents should do the actual brushing until manual dexterity is good enough to do an effective job in removing all plaque on the teeth. Use a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. There are toothbrushing apps available for smartphones and tablets that can help keep kids motivated about brushing and ensure they brush for a full two minutes. Flossing also is necessary to remove food particles and plaque that builds up between teeth, and it should occur as soon as the teeth are close together and any two are touching, usually by age 4. Smooth-coated, mint-flavored floss will appeal more to young mouths.

• Certain foods and drinks can affect children’s teeth more than others. Sticky candy and snacks like gummy worms, licorice, fruit snacks, and even raisins have a high sugar content and are the worst offenders when it comes to causing tooth decay, otherwise known as cavities. Excessive consumption of soda and sweetened sports drinks can also cause decay. Instead, children should drink water or milk. Drinking fluoridated water from the tap is especially helpful for preventing cavities because it makes the outer surface of teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay. Studies show that children who drink fluoridated water as their teeth grow will have stronger, more decay-resistant teeth over their lifetime.

• Be mindful of the oral implications of pacifier use and thumb sucking. These are common habits and a normal, soothing reflex for babies and toddlers. Most children will stop sucking their thumb between the ages of 2 and 4, and typically no harm is done to their teeth or jaws. However, some children who repeatedly suck on a finger or a pacifier for long periods of time may push their upper front teeth toward their lip, or their front teeth may not come in properly. To encourage children to stop, try positive measures, such as praise or small, non-food rewards such as stickers. Negative reinforcement or constant nagging by parents can have the opposite effect.

• Regular dental visits will help avoid potential problems. Dental visits ensure that children’s teeth are coming in properly and do not show signs of decay. Children should visit the dentist for an examination and cleaning every six months to avoid potential problems. The American Dental Assoc., the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend that a child’s first visit to the dentist should be six months after the eruption of the first tooth, or by age 1.