February is Children's Dental Health Month

National Children’s Dental Health Month

Every February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month.

The aim of Children’s Dental Health Month is to raise awareness about the importance of children’s dental health.

Developing good dental hygiene habits when we are kids and keeping regular visits to the dentist helps children get a foundation on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

The American Dental Association explains in detail the oral health message for kids during the entire month-long observance! Educating our children on the importance of oral health starts now!

Statistics for National Children’s Dental Health Month

Take a look at these staggering statistics of children’s dental health. Is there at least one dental fact in there you might not have known? Let us know on our social media by clicking here!

• Childhood tooth decay is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.

• Tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children aged 2–5 years and half of those aged 12–15 years.

• Gum disease is contagious, parents can transfer the bacteria in saliva to our kids by sharing spoons.

• According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illnesses.

• Almost 50% of tooth decay remains untreated in low-income children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• According to this recent CBS News article, children in the Los Angeles School District who had tooth pain were 4x more likely to have a grade point average below the median GPA of 2.8.

Despite these dangerous and alarming statistics, children still do not visit the dentist. Parents need to make dental health for children a priority.

8 Toothy Tips for National Children’s Dental Health Month

The most important preventive step against childhood periodontal disease is to establish good oral health habits at an early age, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

Preventive steps to help our children maintain optimal dental health is the Key factor in preventing dental decay:

1. Brush for two minutes, 2 times per day…with our kids.

2. Show them how to clean between teeth…FLOSS!

3. Limit sugary snacks & drinks between meals, eat healthy.

4. See the dentist regularly for family checkups, and ask them about sealants & fluoride.

5. Establish good dental hygiene habits early. When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using toothpaste when brushing his or her teeth.

6. When the gaps between children’s teeth close, it’s important to start flossing.

7. Serve as a good role model by practicing good dental hygiene habits ourselves.

8. Check our child’s mouth for the signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath.

“Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile” This National Children’s Dental Health Month

We invite you to participate in the “Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile” ADA initiative.

Download and share these National Children’s Dental Health Month Posters on Facebook & Twitter.