What is the Importance of Oral Health in Kids?

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The importance of oral health in kids cannot be overstated. Not only can bad oral health affect their overall well being, good oral health habits that are established when kids are young will carry over to childhood, teenage years and hopefully their whole life.

Oral health begins even before children have teeth, when an adult should be wiping down their gums in the morning right after the first feeding and again in the evening right before bed with a clean, damp cloth to wipe away bacteria and sugars.

When their teeth start coming in, you can begin helping them brush twice a day. Use a soft, small-bristled toothbrush and plain water. Generally, you shouldn’t use a fluoride toothpaste for children younger than two, unless you have consulted your pediatric dentist first.

According to the pediatric dentists at Miller Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, a good time for the first dentist visit for kids is before their first birthday when their first tooth appears to ascertain how their oral health is progressing and to spot any problems early. This is also an opportunity to talk about a fluoride varnish that can be placed on teeth to help prevent cavities and benefit oral health. It has been proven to prevent about one third of cavities in baby/primary teeth. When children are older, dental sealants can prevent about 80% of cavities.

Fluoridated water is important for the oral health of kids as well. Check the CDC’s My Water’s Fluoride website to find out about the water in your community. The optimal amount to prevent cavities is .7 milligrams per liter. If your water has less, ask your dentist, pediatrician, family doctor, or nurse if your child needs oral fluoride supplements, such as drops, tablets, or lozenges.

Without these daily routine oral health practices and early dental visits, untreated cavities can develop that can lead to pain and infections. In turn, this can lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning.

In fact, more than half of kids aged 6-8 have had a cavity in at least one of their primary teeth and more than half of kids aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.

And be aware there are some risk factors that increase the odds for cavities that can lead to bad oral health. They include:

  • Family members with cavities
  • Eating and drinking a lot of sugary foods and drinks, like soda, especially between meals
  • Your child has special health care needs
  • You child wears braces or has orthodontics or oral appliances