February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Galesburg, IL —In observance of National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, the Knox County Health Department emphasizes the importance of preventive dental hygiene care to prevent tooth decay for children. “Caring for children’s oral health is imperative to a long, healthy life and a healthy smile,” states Carrie Neff Andrews, Director of Health Education and Promotion at the Knox County Health Department.

Most children should visit a dentist for the first time at about age 1. As children become older, a dental health professional will perform oral care assessments, clean teeth above and below the gumline and apply cavity-preventive agents, such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth. They will also play a key role in educating both kids and their parents about how to care for your mouth and why good oral health is so vital to overall health.

From the time a baby's primary teeth appear, parents should include oral care in their regular head-to-toe hygiene routine. For example, they can use a small, soft-bristled infant toothbrush dampened with water to clean the gums gently after feedings and before bedtime. Later, by age 2 or 3, parents can teach their children how to brush with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Parents should continue to help their children care for their teeth until age 7 or 8 when they can brush and floss alone. Adolescents may also require educational counseling on nutrition, particularly the intake of sugar and soft drinks. The importance of proper dental hygiene is raised to an even higher level when a child is undergoing orthodontic treatment (braces).

The Knox County Health Department encourages parents in Knox County to get involved during National Children’s Dental Health Month this February to increase awareness of the specific oral health issues related to children and by learning how prevention plays a key role in optimum health. For more information regarding National Children’s Dental Health Month please call the Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224 or contact your dentist office.