Encourage good dental health with children
National Children's Dental Health Month has been celebrated in February since 1981 as a way to raise awareness about the importance of oral health in the U.S. According to the American Dental Association, the theme for this year is “Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles!” and is a reminder for caregivers that habits and attitudes established at an early age greatly impact a child's chances of having good oral health throughout life.
Dental decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the U.S. Historically, data from Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments have shown that approximately 20 to 25 percent of children in Humboldt County begin primary school with untreated cavities. The good news is that cavities are preventable, and it is never too late to make oral health a priority.
For children, the odds for preventing cavities increase when a daily oral hygiene routine is set and followed. The Brush, Book, Bed campaign was created by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to encourage caregivers to create a consistent nightly routine that focuses on three healthy habits that are critical to increasing children's physical and mental well-being.
While setting a routine can be a challenge, the AAP has resources to help make it fun with tips on age-appropriate books, toothbrushing games and self-soothing strategies for bedtime, which can be found at www. healthychildren.org.
Cavities, at any age, are cause for concern and action. According to the AAP, many parents and caregivers assume cavities in baby teeth don't matter because they'll be lost anyway. Unfortunately, dental decay in baby teeth has been shown to negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems. Commercials, books and videos often portray obedient children happily brushing their own teeth without the involvement of an adult. The American Dental Association recommends that caregivers stay engaged in assisting with brushing until age 8. A child brushing their own teeth is only brushing the ones that they can see and reach. Caregivers can reduce the bacteria that leads to decay by assisting children with brushing the teeth in the back of their mouths, which is where most cavities occur.
A common “f-word” that is associated with dental health is “fear.” It is not uncommon for caregivers who have had their own negative or painful dental experiences to practice avoidance when it is time to take their family members to the dentist. Luckily, there continue to be advancements in dentistry that may make drilling for a filling a thing of the past.
According to the University of Southern California Dental School, current dental students are being trained in “microdentistry,” which involves minimally invasive dentistry techniques that focus on stopping cavities early and without drills. This is done by using preventative measure like the placement of sealants on back molars and the use of silver diamine fluoride to slow the growth of decay rather than using a drill to remove it. These developments in dentistry make early and frequent visits to the dentist even more crucial for children and can be a way for caregivers to provide a less traumatic experience for their children than they were able to have. Individuals and families seeking to establish dental care can contact the Smile Humboldt Family Program for assistance with making an appointment and arranging transportation by calling 707-476-4949.
Lastly, there is one simple and important tool in combating childhood dental disease, which is ensuring that everyone has their own toothbrush and dental supplies.
In collaboration with America's ToothFairy, the Humboldt County Dental Advisory Group has worked with local dental practices, businesses and community organizations to host local “Smile Drives” to collect dental supplies for children and families with limited access. Any community member can become an honorary tooth fairy by donating toothbrushes and other dental hygiene products to the “Smile Drive” effort during February and March. A complete list of drop-off locations can be found at www.smilehumboldt.com/2024-smile-drive.