Time to brush up

Start early for great dental health

Maintaining proper oral health matters more than just keeping a sparkling smile—it’s also important for good overall health.

That is especially true for children, as decay in baby teeth can lead to speech problems, oral infections and damaged adult teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tooth decay is largely preventable, yet it ranks as the most common chronic disease among children. About 33 percent of young kids (ages 2 to 8) have cavities in their baby teeth, and 20 percent of kids in the same age group have cavities in their adult teeth, according to the CDC.

In Arkansas, the state received a C- grade for managing children’s oral health based on key measures such as optimally fluoridated water and availability of school-based dental programs, according to The Pew Center on the States.

——————— February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a reminder that proper dental health habits should start early for young people in Arkansas and nationwide.

Yet some people are unaware of recommended dental guidelines for children. A recent UnitedHealthcare survey found that just 31 percent of Americans correctly recognized that most medical professionals recommend children should visit the dentist for the first time by age 1; 40 percent said the appropriate age was between 2 and 3 years old; and 27 percent said 4 years old or older.

To help maintain proper oral health among children, here are tips to consider.

For baby’s teeth and gums:

■ Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquid. When these liquids pool in a baby’s mouth, they form a sugary film on the baby’s teeth, leading to decay and infection.

■ Starting at birth, clean the baby’s gums with water and a soft cloth or child-sized toothbrush. Once a child reaches age 2, parents can start brushing

Be sure to take advantage of your health plan’s preventive dental benefit if available and visit your dentist regularly. By taking these steps, you can start your children down the road of good oral health.