Give Kids a Head Start on Dental Health

posted 1/31/23 -- Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions children in the United States face. Untreated cavities can cause severe pain and lead to infections that can cause problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the perfect time to develop habits that will last a lifetime.

Did You Know? Children who have their first dental visit early in life are more likely to:

• Get more preventive care
• Have fewer fillings and emergency dental visits
• Have regular dental visits

Why Regular Dental Visits Are Important

Promoting good oral health: During dental visits, oral health providers ask questions to learn about a child’s or pregnant woman’s oral health practices. Answers to questions about the use of fluoride toothpaste, eating and feeding practices, and whether the pregnant woman or the child drinks fluoridated tap water can help providers deliver tailored care and education to promote oral health.

Teaching the value of good oral health: Early dental visits teach a child that oral health is important. A child who is taken for dental visits early in life is likely to have a positive experience and a good attitude about dental visits. Pregnant women who get oral health care are more likely to take their child to get oral health care.

Finding oral health problems early: One goal of dental visits is to find and treat little problems before they become big ones. Tooth decay can be stopped or managed if it is caught early.

Treating problems early keeps oral disease from getting worse and costs less than treatment would later. Treating tooth decay in pregnant women is also important because the bacteria that causes tooth decay can be passed from mother to baby after the baby is born.