Did you know that over 60% of kindergarteners in San Bernardino County have experienced dental decay? The CDC reports that tooth decay, while preventable, remains the most common chronic childhood disease.
San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s local oral health program Smile SBC and First 5 San Bernardino have teamed up to relay the message about the importance of early dental visits with their “Little Teeth, Big Responsibility” campaign. The campaign includes billboards and online advertising in San Bernardino County, as well as updated website information and social media content.
Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help them chew, speak and smile – and they hold space in their jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby’s teeth are lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded and can negatively impact a child’s speech development.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be by age 1 – or even better, by their first tooth – and then again, every six months. Developing good oral habits at an early age by brushing, flossing, eating healthy and visiting the dentist regularly helps children get a great start on a lifetime of healthy, pain-free teeth and gums.
“The ‘Little Teeth, Big Responsibility’ campaign is very important because oral health habits begin at an early age,” said Karen Scott, executive director of First 5 San Bernardino. “We want to encourage parents to put their children’s oral health at the top of their lists and make regular dentist visits a priority,” Scott concluded.
Luckily, starting early helps a child get comfortable with the sights and sounds of a dental office. Besides checking for cavities and other problems, dentists will show you how to clean the child’s teeth properly and how to handle habits like thumb-sucking.
Here are some tips on how to take good care of your baby’s teeth:
- Wipe gums twice a day. Use soft, clean cloth to help wipe away cavity-causing sugars.
- Once baby teeth come in, brush twice a day with a small-bristled toothbrush.
- Eat healthy foods and limit sugary drinks.
Want to find a dentist but don’t know where to start? Visit SmileSBC.org for a list of affordable dentists in your area. You can also find free resources, tips and tricks, and more information about taking care of your child’s oral health. Remember, healthy baby teeth form healthy adult teeth!