National Children’s Dental Month Promotes Good Oral Health

It’s National Children’s Dental Month, and many dentist offices around the country are celebrating in different ways. One dentist office in Connecticut is using this month as a way to raise awareness for children’s oral health.

According to WTNH, Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry is taking steps to encourage parents to bring their child in for their first dentist appointment by the time they turn one. Dr. Erica Pitera says she has patients in her office as young as one and two years old who already have tooth decay. Pitera suggests that parents bring their child into the office as soon as they see their first tooth coming in. She also encourages parents to help their child kids start brushing their teeth immediately, as soon as they start to appear in the gums. Many parents fear that their child’s teeth are too little to be doing this, but a finger toothbrush or a small infant toothbrush is the way to go.

The American Dental Association, Oral-B, and Crest have teamed up to promote good oral hygiene throughout the month of February. The motto of this year’s National Children’s Dental Month is “Brush Your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile.” Superior Telegram says National Children’s Dental Month started back in 1941 in Cleveland. It was a one-day event and eventually became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the event became a month-long observance. The two-city event soon expanded nationwide.

Dentists across the country encourage good oral health at an early age. This annual event helps enforce that. Along with children starting their regular dental visits by the age of one, Parents should make sure their children are visiting a dentist on a regular basis. Even though you might think your child’s baby teeth do not matter, they matter more than you may know. Getting your child on track with routine oral health behaviors will provide them with a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

As for this year’s motto, Dr. Pitera says Fluoride Varnish should be used every six months to give your child the extra minerals that they need for their teeth to grow.