February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? Our team of dentists is dedicated to helping you and your children maintain dental health.

Our Grand Rapids dentists want to help you and your child understand the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth through brushing, flossing, and scheduling teeth cleaning appointments at least every 6 months.

Our office is ready to help you set up an appointment for your child with one of our dentists.

Why is it important to raise awareness of children’s dental health?

Tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, our dentists are able to help prevent cavities with dental sealants and other treatments.

National Children’s Dental Health Month is a good reminder for us all that children are building the foundations for their oral health. Our dentists are proud to help young patients learn healthy oral hygiene habits that’ll last a lifetime.

February is also beneficial for parents because it reminds us to take care of our own oral health. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is a great way to set an example for your children. It’ll also help you have a better checkup with us next time.

How to Recognize National Children’s Dental Health Month

• Talk to your child about oral hygiene
• Reinforce good oral hygiene habits (e.g. brushing teeth twice a day)
• Schedule your child’s next teeth cleaning and oral examination appointment

Talk to Your Child about Oral Hygiene

Children are more likely to brush and floss their teeth daily when they know what’s at stake. During your first conversations about oral hygiene with your child, be sure to use non-threatening language that’s easy to understand. For example, you may refer to dental plaque as “sugar bugs” that can cause cavities.

Check out our blog post to learn more about creating an oral hygiene routine for healthy teeth.

Reinforce Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Childhood is the best time for your child to learn good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing their teeth twice a day.

Try not to frame brushing teeth as a “chore” your child has to get done before school and bedtime. Instead, try to get your child excited about taking care of their smile. For example, you could sing a song to your child to pass the time while they brush their teeth. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day.

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment

Your child will need to see one of our dentists for a teeth cleaning and oral examination at least every 6 months. During your child’s appointment, one of our dentists will be able to examine their gums, teeth, and X-rays to evaluate your child’s oral health.

Teeth cleanings, dental sealants, and other preventive dentistry can help your child avoid cavities. Scheduling regular appointments for your child also allows our dentists to catch small issues before they require invasive (and expensive) treatment. If it’s been more than 6 months since your child’s last teeth cleaning, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible.

Learn More About National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Our family dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, want to help your child maintain a healthy smile this February and year-round. To request an appointment for your child’s next teeth cleaning and dental oral exam, call Contemporary Family Dental at (616) 209-3969.

This blog post has been updated.