PARENTS ARE CHILDREN'S FIRST DEFENSE
AGAINST POOR ORAL HEALTH
-February, National Children's Dental Health Month, Puts Spotlight on Prevention-
PARSIPPANY, NJ (January
18, 2006) – According
to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial
Research, tooth decay, or dental caries, remains
the single most common chronic childhood disease
in the United States. This is partially because
children are most likely to have diets that
are very high in sugar and are known to be
less thorough in their brushing and flossing
habits. By educating children about the importance
of healthy foods and encouraging them to brush
their teeth regularly, parents can help drastically
reduce their children’s chances of developing
oral health problems.
“The
sooner parents begin to promote good oral health,
the better. It is recommended that a child’s
first dental checkup is scheduled when their
teeth begin to come through the gums or no
later than their first birthday, and every
six months thereafter,”
said Dr. Scott Navarro, dental director at Delta
Dental of New Jersey (Delta Dental). “Also,
promoting a low-sugar diet at an early age by
encouraging children to prefer the natural taste
of unprocessed, unsweetened foods could really
make a difference in a child’s oral health
as he or she grows up.”
Tooth
brushing should be approached as a fun family
activity that occurs after breakfast and before
bedtime. When brushing, it is best to hold
the toothbrush against the gumline at an angle
with a light grasp. Plaque is soft and is better
removed by thorough but light brushing instead
of vigorous scrubbing, which can cause unwanted
wear on teeth. Children's teeth and gums can
be sensitive too; a gentle touch will make
them more comfortable.
“Saliva
production slows down during the sleep cycle,
and your mouth can't wash away as much plaque.
So it's important to make teeth as plaque-free
as possible before going to bed,” continued
Dr. Navarro.
Parents
can also help to protect their child’s
teeth by using fluoridated toothpaste and talking
to the dentist about dental sealants and professional
fluoride treatments, which have been proven
to be very effective in protecting children’s
teeth against cavities and tooth decay. Also,
children should always wear a helmet when bicycling
and use protective headgear and mouth guards
in other sports activities to prevent oral
injuries.
Delta
Dental offers the following tips for getting
reluctant kids to open up and say “oral
health:”
- Trade
places: Try reversing roles and letting
your child brush your teeth. You can laugh
and have fun with it to reinforce that
brushing is not so horrible after all.
- Show
how shiny: Make sure the kids see you
brushing your own teeth. Also, make a point
of showing off your shiny clean teeth so
that it seems like a treat and privilege
to have a shiny smile. You can also encourage
your kids to show off their own smiles,
once their teeth are clean.
- Take
turns: Set an egg timer or other alarm
and have the kids brush their teeth on
their own for 30 seconds. Then you brush
their teeth for 30 seconds. Repeat this
until all the teeth are brushed.
- Call
in reinforcements: If older children
stubbornly neglect to brush or floss and
repeated reminders fall on seemingly uninterested
ears, maybe it's time to change the messenger.
Call the dentist before the children's
next checkup to let the dentist know what's
going on. The same motivational message
might be heeded if it comes from a third
party.
Delta
Dental also offers parents an online Kid’s
Club (www.deltadentalnj.com)
that includes oral health flash cards, a question
and answer section, an online coloring book
with printable pages, and dental trivia to
help make learning about oral health fun for
children.
Information
about Delta Dental’s Captain Supertooth,
a character created to educate children
in kindergarten through second grade about
the benefits of good oral hygiene, is also
available. Using a giant red toothbrush and
the children as teeth, Captain Supertooth visits
elementary schools throughout New Jersey and
Connecticut to educate children about brushing,
flossing, the importance of a balanced diet
and visiting the dentist. A free Captain Supertooth
video, in English or in Spanish, is available
for teachers and school nurses to help educate
children in the classroom about oral health.
To order, contact Jennifer Appaluccio at jappaluccio@deltadentalnj.com.
About Delta Dental of
New Jersey, Inc.
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s
and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier,
providing coverage to more than one million people
through contracts with employers in New Jersey
and Connecticut. The Delta Dental system offers
seamless dental benefits administration for employer
groups throughout the country and the largest
network of credentialed dentists in the nation.
For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.
