February isn’t just the month of love and romance, it’s also about your child’s dental health!
The American Dental Association has officially declared February as National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children why it’s important to care about their oral health.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that 1 in every 5 children aged 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decaying tooth. Children with poor oral health tend to miss school more often and have lower school grades. Good oral health is a start to, and often indicator of, good health overall.
This month, here are some key points to remember that will help you and your family achieve a brighter and healthier smile:
- Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes. You can use a timer or find mobile apps designed to play music for 2 minutes exactly to help your child brush for the optimal amount of time.
- Introduce your child to flossing. There are many cool and adorable flossers on the market that can help make flossing more fun and interesting for your child.
- Ask your dentist about sea Applying dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth can prevent up 80% of cavities.
- Visit your dentist 2 times a year. Regular, professional dental cleaning removes plaque and buildup that normal brushing cannot remove. Plus, creating a relationship between your child and dentist will help teach the importance of good oral care.
Let Dr. Stephen Coates and his trusted dental team in Long Beach, CA take care of you and your family’s dental health needs. You can request an appointment online here, or call us at 562-434-6414.
