Dental Health

Why Good Dental Health is Important

Innumerable studies and research have concluded on the importance of starting children early in their lives with good dental hygiene and oral care. According to research, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. Early treatment prevents problems affecting a child's health, well-being, self-image and overall achievement.

The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms. Because there is such a significant loss in their academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children's oral health a priority.

Parents are responsible for ensuring their children practice good dental hygiene. Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child's life—as early as infancy. The American Dental Hygiene Association states that a good oral hygiene routine for children includes:

  • Thoroughly cleaning your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food.
  • Gently brushing your baby's erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Teaching your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques and later teaching them brushing and gentle flossing until 7 or 8 years old.
  • Regular visits with their dentist to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.
  • Encouraging your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits, but not mentioning words like "pain" or "hurt," since this may instill the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.
  • Determining if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated; if not, discussing supplement options with your dentist or hygienist.
  • Asking your hygienist or dentist about sealant applications to protect your child's teeth-chewing surfaces and about bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugared liquids.

Click here to view Tooth Development information.

Tips for Healthy Teeth

  1. You should have a dental check-up every six months to maintain excellent oral health.
  2. Have x-rays taken to help detect decay between your teeth.
  3. Your child's first dental visit should be between the ages of two to four.
  4. See a dentist when you suspect you have a cavity. It is a small problem that can be fixed easily. If not repaired, it could grow into a larger and more expensive problem.
  5. Make sure your diet is well balanced. Foods containing sugar cause tooth decay.
  6. Be sure to remove plaque from your teeth by brushing and flossing. Most adult teeth are lost to gum disease rather than tooth decay. Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease or gingivitis.
  7. To eliminate bad breath and bacterial build-up, brush your tongue daily.

John L. Covert, D.D.S., P.A. & Associates

  • John L. Covert, D.D.S., P.A. & Associates - 7701 Tezel Rd., San Antonio, TX 78250 Phone: 210-647-0477 Fax: 210-647-3765

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