Dental Associates & National Children’s Dental Health Month
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Every year, pediatric dental staff from Dental Associates travel throughout their communities to teach children the importance of good oral hygiene. On average, we visit 50 schools and present to over 6,000 kids in Eastern Wisconsin. Our teams also donate free dental supplies and teach kids and their parents how to properly use them.
Watch this short video to see footage from a previous Children's Dental Health Month school visit, then read on to learn about healthy oral hygiene habits.
Oral Hygiene Facts
The Importance of Pediatric Dentist Visits
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, more than 50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay before age five.
Keep Healthy Teeth with the 2-2-2 Rule
Help keep your child’s teeth healthy by using the 2-2-2 rule: visit your dentist two times a year, and brush and floss TWO times a day for TWO whole minutes!
How Do You Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth?
Our pediatric dentists recommend parents follow the “tell, show, do” model:
- Tell: In age-appropriate language, explain how to brush and floss and how those actions keep teeth clean and healthy
- Show: Let children watch when mom or dad brush and floss their own teeth
- Do: Help children brush and floss their teeth in the morning and before bed, and keep a regular routine so they know it’s expected. Continue helping to brush a child’s teeth until age 4 or 5. After that, let them do it themselves, but supervise them until age 7 or 8. both children and adults should brush for two minutes, twice a day
School Hours Lost to Dental-Related Conditions
According to the Office of the Surgeon General, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related conditions. Help prevent lost school days by following the 2-2-2 rule!
The Return of Investing in Preventative Dental Care
According to the American Dental Hygienists Association, every dollar spent on preventative dental care could save you $8 to $50 in restorative and emergency dental treatments and potentially more in additional types of medical treatment. A child should see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears, or by his or her first birthday. Learn more by reading A Child’s First Dental Visit.
Oral Hygiene: the Importance of Brushing and Flossing
Your oral health can offer clues about your overall health or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Typically, the body's natural defenses and good oral hygiene can keep these bacteria under control. However, if you don’t remove the bacteria daily with brushing and flossing, it can cause cavities or gum disease.
Plan a Visit to Our Pediatric Dentist
Whether it’s time to plan a first visit to the dentist or a return visit for a checkup and cleaning, our pediatric dentists are ready to get your child on the path to a lifetime of good oral health. Book an appointment and get your child off to a great start!
