Childhood Dentistry
A tooth fell out, and left a space
So big my tongue could touch my face.
And every time I smile, I show
a space where something used to grow.
I miss my tooth as you can guess
But then, I have to brush one less!
— Author unknown
Open Up and Say Ahhh – Aren’t You Cute!
It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month. Who knew? And why would children need their own dental health month? A lot has changed in dentistry since many of us were kids. Decades ago there may have been one dentist for an entire town. Everyone got the same treatment and most people only went for symptom relief. Can you imagine if your only experience with a dentist was when you had a cavity or needed a tooth pulled?
As time, and science, has advanced so has dentistry. The need for prevention became the standard. Education at the elementary school level evolved and kids everywhere were bringing home bags of miniature toothpaste tubes and those fun red tabs that stained poorly brushed teeth. Now, parents are advised to bring their infants in when the first teeth show their pearly tops. Parenting magazines, pediatricians, even grandparents are pushing for early life trips to the dentists.
Why so early? Healthy habits and early prevention! Children who learn that a visit to the dentist is essential to their health will carry the habit into adulthood. And they will learn how to prevent the most common oral ailments – such as cavities and gingivitis. Dentists can also screen for problems and address issues early, instead of waiting until it may be too late.
So we celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month in recognition of the importance of starting dental healthcare early. We cannot emphasize how important it is for your children to have the best oral health possible. Their teeth are meant to last a lifetime – which is a lot longer than it used to be! Join us in helping our kids be as healthy as they can be. Make sure they’re brushing and flossing, eating low-sugar diets, and visiting us on a regular schedule. And to help you we’ve provided some links below for activities to do with your children.
