PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and dental professionals are emphasizing the importance of starting dental hygiene early for children’s development.
According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, healthy teeth and gums help develop a strong foundation for physical development and interactive development with children.
Starting early visits
Dr. Jonathan Gore of Frye Dentistry said developing habits early is crucial for children’s dental health.
“When the first tooth comes into the mouth, first baby tooth, get them in here. Even if it’s not a super productive appointment it is always good to get them exposed and get them used to the environment, used to the lights, the sounds. Even if you don’t get a lot done, it goes a long way down the road,” Gore said.
Dr. Sydni Harris-Evans of Bowling and Dunn Dentistry said exposure is everything when working with young patients.
“The number one thing I like to do with kiddos is start young. So we have kids that come in with their parents, they sit on their lap. They go through the little steps here and there. Headphones are a huge one, noise is a big thing,” Harris-Evans said.
Making dental care approachable
Harris-Evans said dental offices use various techniques to help children feel comfortable during visits.
“There’s little tips and tricks we do to get around stuff. Whenever we want to anesthetize, we can put suction in there, we can make things vibrate, we can stimulate. But the big one I realized is the younger that parents bring their kids in with them, the more they’re just like ”Ok, this isn’t a big deal” and that typically helps a little bit,” she said.
Making brushing and flossing fun is a good way to encourage kids to want to take care of their teeth. Just because there are gaps in your child’s teeth doesn’t mean you can skip the flossing. Dental professionals recommend looking for the American Dental Association’s recommendation on products.
“Start with the basics. Getting them to be willing to do it. Pick a flavor that works for them. It doesn’t need to be the greatest of the great toothpaste. If you can get them just used to doing it, pick a flavor that works,” Gore said.
The West Virginia Oral Health Coalition reported that 29% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 had treated or untreated tooth decay in 2024.
“And a lot of it’s caused by sugar, um, a big one we have seen recently is trauma. So, we’ve had a lot of kids who have had accidents at school and stuff like that. Those are the two big ones cavities and trauma,” Harris-Evans said.
Developing good habits for dental hygiene as early as possible is the best way to encourage life-long dedication. A healthy smile also adds to a child’s overall confidence and comfort according to the ADA.
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