PARENTS ARE CHILDREN'S FIRST DEFENSE AGAINST POOR ORAL HEALTH

- February, National Children's Dental Health Month, Puts Spotlight on Prevention -

PARSIPPANY, NJ (February 2009)

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. For more information, contact Jennifer Appaluccio at jappaluccio@deltadentalnj.com.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering 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 dentists in the nation. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.