Why Good Dental Health is Important

Many scientific studies have been conducted on the importance of starting children early with good dental hygiene and oral care. Amazingly, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Reference Manual, 40% of children will have a cavity before they start kindergarten and 78% will have a cavity by the time they turn 17 years old. Early examinations and preventative treatment help to avoid problems that negatively affect a child’s health, well-being, self-image and overall achievement.
The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that US children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and endure 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Reference Manual, in 1996, students aged 5-17 years old missed an average of 3.1 days per 100 students due to acute dental problems. Because of the potential for significant loss in students’ academic participation, children’s oral health should be a priority for parents and educators, in addition to dentists.
  1. Thoroughly cleaning your infant’s gums after feedings with a water-soaked infant cloth or xylitol towelette. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food. Cavity prevention is even more enhanced if xylitol towelette is used.
  2. Teaching your child at an early age about proper brushing techniques with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush is very important. For 1-3 year olds, only apply a thin smear or ‘grain-of-rice’ sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste to the brush. For 3-6 year olds, only use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Once your child has achieved an understanding of toothbrushing, you can then introduce your child to gentle flossing. Generally, your child should be supervised and have help with brushing until about 7 years old (or when they can tie their own shoe laces).
  3. Making regular visits with a dentist to check for cavities and other dental concerns.
  4. Encouraging your child to discuss any concerns they may have about oral health visits, but not mentioning any fears that you may possess as an adult. Children should be a blank slate before their first visit, and discussing parents’ dental fears can negatively prepare children for their first visit.
  5. Determining if the water your child is drinking contains fluoride. Community tap water, well water, bottled water, and filtered water all have varying amounts of fluoride and can affect your child’s teeth in different ways. The tap water at our address is provided by the Phoenix Municipal Water Service and is fluoridated to the appropriate concentration of 0.70mg/L. If your tap water does not come from this source, you can research the fluoride content in your community through the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. This information can be found here.
  6. The grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are very deep and difficult to clean of bacteria and food. Even though your children may be brushing regularly, their toothbrush bristles may not reach to the depths of the crevices of these back teeth. As a result, the remaining bacteria and food interact, acids are produced, and a cavity is formed. Tooth sealants protect these susceptible grooves by sealing them off and preventing bacteria and food from residing there. Sealants are typically composed of a resin material that can last for several years, but can chip off if children are frequent ice-chewers. Consequently, sealants need to be checked during regular appointments.

Contact Us

Recent Posts

Shaping Bright Futures with Every Smile in Phoenix

Nestled in the bustling city of Phoenix, AZ, Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics shines as a leading light in children's oral healthcare. Our mission is to sculpt the foundation of a lifelong journey towards impeccable oral health for every child that walks through our doors. Through a fusion of advanced pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, we […]

Phoenix's Family-Friendly Kids Dentist

Welcome to Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, nestled in the heart of Phoenix, AZ, where we offer a warm, family-oriented approach to dental care for your little ones. Our mission is to create a welcoming environment where every child feels at home. We're dedicated to providing gentle, personalized dental care that meets the unique needs […]

Children's Dental Care in Phoenix

At Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing top-notch children's dental care in Phoenix, AZ. Our mission is to create a comfortable and welcoming treatment environment that instills a positive attitude toward oral health from an early age. Smiles from the Moment You Walk-in From the moment your child steps into our […]

The Importance of Early Orthodontic Treatment

You will be surprised how early orthodontic treatment, including teeth straightening, can solve childhood dental problems. Crooked teeth, overcrowding, and tooth decay are some of the issues children face early in life. These days, parents have finally realized the importance of proper dental health. They know how it can affect the kids’ well-being. Teeth straightening…

Toothbrushing Tips for Young Children

Toothbrushing is an essential practice for dental health. Doing it along with flossing can help children set a good dental care routine at an early age. It takes patience to teach your child to do it right until the habit forms. If you want to know more toothbrushing tips you can share with your young…

Your Phoenix Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontist
We can provide continued pediatric dentistry and orthodontic care for children as they grow up.
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics • AZ Specialty Dental Services, PLLC - Jeffrey Burg, DDS | Hosted by Specialty Dental Brands™

Book Your Appointment Today!

Book Now
menu