Celebrate Children’s Dentistry in Arcadia This Month with Your Child!

When it comes to dental health, there are few groups at higher risk of disease than children. This is despite the fact that tooth decay, the most common chronic condition among younger patients, is largely preventable. Since February is Children’s Dental Health Month, dentists across the country are informing parents on helpful oral care tips for their children.

When it comes to oral health, knowing is half the battle. Once you know what needs to be done, your child will be on their way to long-term oral health. Here’s what positive children’s dentistry in Arcadia looks like!

How Common is Tooth Decay in Children?

According to the American Dental Association, 1 in 5 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated cavity. Of course, this isn’t just an issue among young patients. Based on the same report, 13 percent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 have at least one untreated cavity as well. Keep in mind that tooth decay is preventable with routine oral care and regular dental visits, but many young patients still have to deal with this issue.

What are the Consequences of Untreated Tooth Decay?

When a child is constantly distracted by tooth decay, it compromises many tasks throughout their day. For example, children with tooth decay struggle to eat, sleep or function as well when they are at home or in school. All of these issues can easily compound on top of each other, leading to lower performance in school and higher rates of absence. By providing essential oral care tips to your child and setting them up for success, you can ensure this does not happen.

How to Prevent Cavities

Children need to brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily in order to remove plaque built up on teeth. They’ll also need to visit the dentist once every six months to have a professional cleaning and checkup take place. During this visit, you’ll be able to confirm if their at-home routine is working.

When buying oral care products for your child, confirm that the toothbrush will fit their hand and mouth. Make sure the toothpaste you pick out is fluoridated. Once you’ve done these two steps, allow them to pick out the oral care products that they’ll enjoy using. Many manufacturers feature cartoon characters and superheroes to make brushing more fun, so give your child a chance to choose one they’ll want to use.

Making Oral Care Easier for Your Children

To make your child’s oral care as easy as possible, consider the following tips:

• Set a specific time for brushing in the morning and at night. Make it part of their routine bedtime checklist if you already have one.
• Brush alongside them or take turns to show how much you care about their oral health.
• Download an app that helps them keep track of how long they’ve been brushing. Sing a song with them to help them understand the time needed to brush thoroughly.

With these steps in mind, you can’t go wrong with your child’s oral health. Schedule an appointment with a dentist today to learn more child dental care tips!

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth J. Canzoneri earned his dental degree from the Northwestern Dental School. Since then, he’s been dedicating his time to improving dental care for all patients, including his youngest that come into the office. With this help, your child is sure to have a positive future for their oral health. To learn more about his practice, you can contact him through his website.