Children's Dental Health | Child Dental Care

Children's Dental Health 

"Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.

• About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.1
• 1 of 7 (13%) adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.1
• Children aged 5 to 19 years from low-income families are twice as likely (25%) to have cavities, compared with children from higher-income households (11%).1

The good news is that cavities are preventable. Fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third (33%) of cavities in the primary (baby) teeth.2 Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer cavities than children whose water is not fluoridated.3 Similarly, children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have fewer cavities.4

Dental sealants can also prevent cavities for many years. Applying dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth prevent 80% of cavities.5      All of this info and more can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health/index.html"

Dental disease is the most common chronic illness for children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than one-quarter of children have tooth decay in baby teeth before entering kindergarten. About 21 percent of children aged 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Dental disease is preventable, yet dental care is the most common unmet health treatment need in children. 

Teaching Good Dental Habits

"The best way to protect your child's teeth is to teach him good dental habits. With the proper coaching he'll quickly adopt good oral hygiene as a part of his daily routine. However, while he may be an enthusiastic participant, he won't yet have the control or concentration to brush his teeth all by himself. You'll need to supervise and help him so that the brush removes all the plaque—the soft, sticky, bacteria- containing deposits that accumulate on the teeth, causing tooth decay. Also, keep an eye out for areas of brown or white spots which might be signs of early decay. 

Toothbrushing

As soon as your child has a tooth you should be helping your child brush her teeth two times a day with a smear (size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste on a child-sized toothbrush that has soft bristles. There are brushes designed to address the different needs of children at all ages, ensuring that you can select a toothbrush that is appropriate for your child. 

Too Much Sugar

Besides regular toothbrushing with the right amount of fluoride toothpaste, your child's diet will play a key role in his dental health. And, of course, sugar is the big villain. The longer and more frequently his teeth are exposed to sugar, the greater the risk of cavities. "Sticky sugar" foods such as sticky caramel, toffee, gum, and dried fruit—particularly when it stays in his mouth and bathes his teeth in sugar for hours—could do serious damage. Make sure to always brush your child's teeth after a sugary food item. In addition, do not allow your child to have any sugar-containing liquid in a sippy cup for a prolonged period. 

Dental Checkups

During regular well-child visits, the pediatrician will check your child's teeth and gums to ensure their health. If she notices problems, she may refer your child to a pediatric dentist (pedodontist) or a general dentist with an interest in treating the dental needs of children. All of this info and more can be found at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Teething-and-Dental-Hygiene.aspx" 

At LADD Dental Group, we understand the importance of educating the youth about the proper dental and oral hygiene! We present to over 30 Elementary Schools per year, and have a blast doing it! Below I have attached some pictures and videos of some of our dental education presentations we did this past year!