February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others.

New young parents often ask us “When should my child first see a dentist?” It’s never too early to start focusing on your child’s oral health! The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents should see a  dentist for their child by their first tooth or first birthday. As the child starts teething, the dentist will be able to monitor their progress and implement preventative measures for any concerns with your baby’s teeth.

Did you know that cavities or tooth decay are one of the most common health problems affecting children in the United States?  

At Tribeca Dental Studio, we know good habits start early. Developing good habits at an early age helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Our Pediatric Dentists work with children and their parents to build healthy habits. 

Here are some dental tips for the little ones in your family: 

1. Offer your children water instead of sugary drinks such as soda or sweetened juices or soft drinks. Some soft drinks contain artificial sweeteners instead of added sugar. The acidity of these drinks, either sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, can contribute to tooth erosion and decay. For good oral health encourage children to drink plain water throughout the day.
2. Don’t put a baby to bed with a bottle.  By doing this your baby’s teeth can decay. When babies are put to bed with bottles, sugary liquids pool around the teeth while they sleep. Bacteria in their mouths use the sugars as food and produce acids that attack the teeth. In the most serious cases, the front teeth can rot completely and need to be removed. 
3. As the first birthday approaches, encourage your child to drink from a cup. The child gets liquid by sucking on the cup, much like a baby bottle. Also, toddlers can fall while drinking from a cup which can create a potential injury to the mouth. 
4. If your kids chew gum, buy only sugarless gum – chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.
5.  Teach your children to floss their teeth every day. And do not forget to yourself! 
6. Help your kids develop good brushing techniques by brushing for them first, then allowing them to brush after you.
7.  You should time their brushing to two minutes. There are great interacting apps that help keep the time and make teeth brushing fun for the kids. 
8. Make sure your child wears a mouthguard when playing any kind of sports. They help to limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your child’s lips, tongue and soft tissues of the mouth.  Also, they help kids to avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss. 
9. If kids crave a snack, offer them nutritious ones. Keep plenty of fruit, vegetables, and healthy beverages on hand so kids avoid unhealthy snacks like soda, chips, and cookies.
10. And, of course, schedule regular dental visits. Aim to visit a dentist every 6 months for regular checkups and cleanings. 

Is it time for your child to see a dentist? February is a great time to do it! Contact Tribeca Dental Studio to schedule your appointment.

For more information

• Visit our website: https://www.tribecadentalstudio.com/index.php

Looking for a dentist in New York City or information about how to pay for dental care?  Click here.