I am sure most of us grown ups know how important it is to practice good dental hygiene. But what about our young ones? Are we making sure that they are getting a proper dental education?
What would you guess is the most common chronic childhood disease? Would you say asthma, obesity, diabetes? You wouldn?t be alone in thinking that. However, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry lists tooth decay as number one.
Having a beautiful smile may be one inducement for helping our children learn how to develop healthy dental habits. There are many other factors to consider though.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly one out of every five children has untreated cavities here in the U. S. That is 19.5% of kids between ages 2 and 5 and 22.9% of young ones between the ages of 6 and 19. And a whopping 78% of people have a cavity by the age 17.
Problems with the teeth and gums can lead to other more serious health problems. Such as respiratory problems or even heart disease.
Our children?s oral health may also affect their education. The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools reports that students miss more than 51 million hours at school every year due to dental health related illnesses.
How can we go about helping our children to practice good dental hygiene?
1. Make brushing and flossing a habit, by making it part of your family’s daily routine.
2. Teach them the best methods of brushing and flossing. Not sure how to do that, or where to begin? That?s okay, just look to a children’s dentist for help and tips.
3. Take your children to the dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and checkup.
If you are looking for quality dental care for your little ones, finding the right pediatric dentist can be a big help. They can assist your children to practice good dental hygiene at home.
Pediatric dentistry specializes in the care of children’s teeth and gums, so who better to provide consistent dental care with the health and well being of your child foremost in mind?
As parents we all want the best for our kids and want to give them the tools for a healthy life. One important way of doing that is teaching and guiding them to practice good dental hygiene. This will benefit them now and for years to come.