Say Cheese! Dental Health for Children
Are you afraid of the dentist? That’s all the more reason to start planning now for your child’s first dental visit.
Helping your child develop good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits is important in ensuring that they maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month, sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.
Children with healthy teeth tend to be healthier and happier overall, chew food easily and smile with confidence. They also find their trips to the dentist much more enjoyable.
Dental problems such as early childhood caries, often called “baby bottle decay,” can start early. Once your baby’s diet includes anything besides breast milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that you take your baby to a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age.
For more information about taking care of your child’s dental health, and to learn more about topics from teething to thumb-sucking, visit www.aapd.org.
