It’s The Last Day of National Children’s Dental Health Month

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

It’s the last day of National Children’s Dental Health Month! 

Throughout the entire month of February, dentists throughout the States observed National Children’s Dental Health Month and have been working to educate young children in ways to keep their teeth healthy. 
 
Each February, the American Dental Association, a nationwide professional association of dentists, sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month with the purpose of raising awareness of the importance of dental health. 

There is a common misconception that because children have baby teeth, those teeth are going to fall out anyways so caring for them is not important. Neglect of baby teeth can cause infections in the mouth that can damage the permanent teeth that come in later- so caring properly for baby teeth is vital for healthy dental health! 

Have you sat down with your children to talk about the importance of dental health yet this month? If not, try to set aside some time tonight to discuss how to take care of your teeth! Utilize the ADA Kids Tools, linked HERE, to demonstrate the proper ways to brush and floss, and what to expect on dentist visits. 

Share your stories with us on the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City Facebook Wall, linked HERE, about your experience discussing the importance of dental health with your children!

Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Care for Your Baby Answered by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has answered some of your most frequently asked questions about Dental Care for your baby. Below are a few of the Q’s & A’s. To read through all of the frequently asked questions, visit AAPD.org. 

Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Q. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

Q. How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or using a bottle?

At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.

Q. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.

Q. Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?

Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; many stop by age 2. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age 3, a professional evaluation is recommended. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

Q. When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a "smear" of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.

Do you still have questions? Post them to Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City’s Facebook Wall, linked HERE, to have them answered by Dr. Reynolds!

Let's Talk About Children's Dental Health Challenges...

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 

 

Good oral health can be a challenge for young children, especially those in low-income families. Children in such families tend to have higher rates of tooth decay and have greater difficulty accessing ongoing basic dental care. Every child, despite their family’s economic situation, deserves a healthy smile!

Over 40-50% of children will be affected by tooth decay before age 5 and of the 4 million children born each year, more than half will have cavities by the time they reach second grade (AAPD.org). These statistics are overwhelming!

In addition, 9 million children in the United States do not have medical insurance, but over 23 million do not have dental insurance (AAPD.org)! Oral health issues affect children in poverty and minorities far more than other groups. Unfortunately, this isn’t shocking.

It’s not just poverty stricken and minority families that have children with dental problems. According to the May 2000 Surgeon General’s report, Oral Health in America, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related conditions (AAPD.org).

Don’t let your children suffer from oral health issues. Bad oral health could lead to time away from the classroom and extracurricular activities which help children grow mentally and emotionally.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Stacey Reynolds at Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City to ensure your children are practicing a good oral health regimen. Dr. Reynolds specializes in pediatric dentistry and works hard to help kids develop lasting dental health habits that give them smiles they can be proud of for a lifetime! She also specializes in treating children with special needs. For more information visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com.

How To Brush

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The American Dental Association is urging all parents to teach their children how to properly brush their teeth, if they don’t already know how to!

Here is a step by step guide on “How to Brush,” provided by ADA.org.

 

Ease Your Child's Fear of Dental Exams!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 

 

February is National Children's Dental Health Month! It is important to take the time to sit down with your children and explain proper dental health care practices, to ensure optimal dental health, and reduce fear of dental exams.

There is nothing worse than a child who is afraid of the dentist! It is perfectly normal for children to be fearful: afraid of being separated from their parents; afraid of the unknown; and/or afraid of being injured. A dentist who specializes in Pediatric Dentistry is professionally trained to know and understand how to cope with your child's fears and anxiety and put them at ease. 

To ease you child's dental visit and help it go more smoothly, tell your child about the visit, but limit the amount of details. Answer any questions with simple, to the point answers and tell them Dr. Stacey will be able to answer the rest. As Pediatric Dentists, we are trained to describe things to children in a non-threatening way and in easy-to-understand language.

As a parent:

• Don’t tell your child that something will hurt or be painful

• Don’t tell your child about an unpleasant dental experience that you’ve had

• Stress how important it is to maintain healthy teeth and gums and that the dentist is a friendly doctor whose job is to help do this

• Don’t promise a reward for going to the dentist

Below is short kid-friendly public service announcement provided by the ADA, recapping “Dudley’s First Dental Visit”. Share this video with your children to ease their thoughts about going to the dentist!

It's National Children's Dental Health Month! Here are some fun activities to educate your children...

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. 

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. 

Check out the American Dental Association website, linked HERE for some fun activity sheets for kids! It can be a fun and educational activity for your kids to take part in throughout the month. 

You can also find a few “hands-on-activities” that show how decay can spread through a tooth using an apple with a hole in it; how and where plaque hides; how to properly floss and how dental sealants work. All of these activities help improve children’s oral health care practices and educate them on the importance of following a good oral health regimen. 

Put some time aside this month to speak with your children about the importance of oral health! For more information, visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com.