Every February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and time to remind everyone of the importance of dental care for our kids.
Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention almost 20% of children between 2 and 19 have untreated cavities and that more than 50 million school hours are lost yearly due to dental pain?
Dental problems can contribute to poor eating habits due to pain, loss of sleep due to pain and loss of confidence due to the inability to talk or smile. This is why it is important to keep your teeth healthy and practice good eating habits.
When should I bring my child to see a dentist?
As soon as the first baby tooth appears so you can discuss proper brushing and the use of a smear of fluoridated toothpaste twice daily.
How can I keep my child’s teeth healthy?
Brushing for 2 minutes 2 times a day and visiting your dentist 2 times a year will make a huge difference in your child’s dental health.
Tips for keeping a healthy mouth?
The major enemy is SUGAR. The sugar in juice, formula and breast milk starts the cavities process in infancy. For this reason, put babies to bed with a bottle of water only and limit the use of sippy cups with anything other than water at bedtime. Sugar is all around in children’s diets and giving teeth a bath in sugar is a sure way to get cavities.
- Brush, brush, brush! Brush teeth for 2 minutes 2 times a day.
- Go to the dentist twice a year.
- Don’t let your young children brush their own teeth. Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is really a parent’s job until at least 10 years of age. Yes, they want to do it themselves at a pretty young age but really do not have the hand coordination to brush well until about 10 years of age. Parents have to check, at least nightly, and go over missed areas.
Every Tooth Counts; Drive for a Mobile Dental Van
Many individuals in our community do not have the funds to cover dental visits so they simply stop going. Access to transportation is a major problem in our community; those who need and want to go to the dentist are not able to because they physically cannot get there. In honoring our mission of providing quality, comprehensive, primary and preventative health care, the health center is looking to grow with a Mobile Dental Van. This van would help conquer two obstacles: cost and accessibility. We look forward to serving your dental needs at your doorstep.
Cornerstone Family Healthcare has three dental offices- two in Newburgh and one in Goshen.
We can help you keep your children’s teeth healthy. To make an appointment, please call (845) 563-8000.
