5 Tips for Children's Dental Health #NCDHM

It’s still February so and you know what that means… IT’S STILL NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH and dental professional all over the world are promoting health oral hygiene habits for children. 

National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, 1941. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. The single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long observance known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Since 1941, the observance has grown from a two-city event into a nationwide program. NCDHM messages reach thousands of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed services bases. Local observances often include displays of posters provided by the ADA, coloring and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations by dentists and other members of the dental team, and dental office tours. (souce: ADA.org)

When good habits are developed early on it is more likely that the child will able to look forward to a lifetime of health teeth gums. Here are 5 healthy tips for children's dental health.

Brush and floss: Brushing and flossing is essential all that all ages, but good habits start early. Your child should be brushing twice a day to remove plaque, bacteria and food particles in their mouth. Also flossing two a day to remove anything left behind after brushing.

Visit the dentist regularly: Visiting the dentist every 6 months, twice a year is important. Even if your child is under orthodontic treatment and make all scheduled appointments with Dr. Bailey, while visiting the dentist they check for your cavities and make sure teeth are healthy.

Drink water: Make sure that your children's drinking water is fluoridated, fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and Earth's crust. Helps prevent cavities by hardening the enamel.

Eat well balanced meals: Eat a well-balanced diet that limits starchy or sugary foods, which produce plaque acids that cause tooth decay.

Early intervention: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

At Bailey Orthodontics we are constantly promoting healthy teeth and habits for all of our patients, especially our younger patients. We strive to provide the best care for your child and help create good habits. Please visit ADA.org National Children’s Dental Health Month For more information.