February is Children’s Dental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of early oral care. Good habits start young, but getting kids to brush and floss isn’t always an easy feat. With the right approach, parents can make dental care a fun and engaging part of their child’s daily routine.

From Tot to Teen: Teaching Dental Hygiene

Children’s dental hygiene needs to change as they grow. From primary teeth to adult teeth, it’s important to follow guidelines to support good oral health. The key to success is repetition, brushing at least twice a day.

• Toddlers (Ages 1-3): Using a very small amount of kid-safe toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice), brush in small circles along the gum line and chewing surfaces. Avoid letting your child swallow, and demonstrate how to spit into the sink.
• Preschool and Elementary (Ages 4-10): Your child is ready to use a larger amount of toothpaste– about the size of a pea. Follow the same brushing pattern, and take breaks if necessary. Floss between teeth that are too close together that the toothbrush cannot reach.
• Tweens and Teens (Ages 11-18): Brushing at least twice a day for about two minutes should be a breeze, but make sure to reinforce the importance of flossing. Setting a good example for them by taking good care of your own teeth will likely encourage them to do the same.

West Virginia and Children’s Dental Health

The West Virginia Oral Health Coalition gave a D+ to the overall dental health of the state’s childhood population. Compared to national averages, West Virginia continues to struggle with high rates of tooth decay and loss:

• Nearly 30% of children ages 3-5 have tooth decay
• 46% of third graders have tooth decay
• 40% of adults aged 45+ have lost 6+ teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease
• 25% of seniors (ages 65+) have lost all of their natural teeth

The numbers show that good oral hygiene begins in childhood. By encouraging healthy habits, we can create a future where children in West Virginia grow up with healthier smiles.

Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Your Child

If you encounter a not-so-enthusiastic child at brush time, try to make it fun by making the task a positive, fun experience. Here are some recommendations:

• Do it together: By making teeth brushing a family affair, you’re helping your child associate positive feelings with the activity and establish a routine

• Make it a game by setting a timer, and whoever brushes their teeth for the whole two minutes wins!

• Playing a fun song specifically for brushing teeth will not only be engaging for your child, but it will also model the appropriate amount of time it takes to brush their teeth.

• Let your child pick their own toothpaste; there are so many flavors to choose from.

Common Myths About Children’s Dental Care

Throughout a child’s life, a parent or caregiver’s responsibilities can change and multiply. It’s easy in day-to-day life to skip over what seem to be small details, but those small details are often the most important. Here are some debunked myths about children’s oral hygiene:

Myth #1: Baby teeth don’t matter.

Fact: Primary teeth, or baby teeth, set the stage for the adult teeth that will eventually grow in. By disrupting the health of these teeth, you’re inviting future problems that may result in the need for braces or more serious issues.

Myth #2: Kids don’t need to see the dentist until all their teeth come in.

Fact: As teeth begin to come in, tooth decay can take place. Just like taking a puppy to the vet or groomer, taking your young child to the dentist will help them get used to getting their teeth checked and may curb fears and anxiety down the road.

Myth #3: Brushing once a day is good enough.

Fact: There is a reason your dentist advises you to brush twice a day. Your mouth can harbor a load of bacteria as you sleep throughout the night causing “morning breath.” However, at nighttime, brushing allows you to rid your mouth of the sugar and bacteria that have accumulated from meals throughout the day. Decay does not discriminate based on the time of day; it’s an around-the-clock cycle.

Affordable Care at St. George Dental Clinic

Oral health plays a vital role in overall health and well-being. At St. George Dental Clinic, we believe in providing high-quality, low-cost care to all patients. Our dental program offers affordable dental checkups, cleanings, and preventative treatments. Other services include:

• Extractions
• X-Rays
• Oral cancer screenings
• Restorative care
• Referrals for oral surgery

Signs Your Child May Need a Dentist Visit

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, it may be time to schedule a visit:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Bleeding gums
• White or brown spots on the teeth’s surfaces
• Bad breath that doesn’t improve

These warning signs may be a sign of more serious, expensive issues down the road. 

Diet and Dental Health

Nutrition plays a huge part in our oral health, so it’s important to be intentional with the food we feed our children each day.

The regular consumption of sugary and acidic food and beverages is shown to increase tooth decay, so it’s best to offer these options in moderation. Many children’s snacks are designed to be appealing visually and taste-wise, but they may not be the most nutritionally valuable. Always try to choose whole, one-ingredient foods, as opposed to processed foods to limit added sugars and acids. 

The Connection Between Dental Health and Overall Wellness

Just like our skin, our mouths serve as one of the first lines of defense against harmful bacteria and infections. By maintaining a healthy oral landscape, we can ensure that the rest of our body systems are ready to defend our well-being. Poor oral health has been associated with things like:

• Heart disease and diabetes
• Speech problems in young children
• Lower school performance

A healthy mouth supports a healthy body. By visiting the dentist regularly, the likelihood of these problems can be significantly decreased.

Building Healthy Smiles for Life

This Children’s Dental Health Month, we invite you to take the opportunity to reinforce good habits at home. Regular dental visits, a balanced diet, and good oral care can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

To schedule your child’s appointment at St. George Dental Clinic, call us at (304) 478-6000 (option 2). We look forward to joining your child’s journey to better oral health!