By DR. KEITH LIBOU
Parents want to provide their kids with the best healthcare possible, but many parents may not realize how crucial it is to include dental care in their child's wellness program before they are even one-year-old. Throughout February, which is Children's Dental Health Month, dentists around the country focus on raising parents' awareness of how they can ensure their child grows up with a healthy mouth. One easy action is to substitute sugary snacks and refined foods with crunchy fruits and vegetables, which are much better for dental and overall health. Limiting kids' intake of sugary drinks, especially through sippy cups and bottles, is also important. Additionally, parents can talk to their child's dentist about topical fluoride treatments, which can provide additional protection from cavities.
It is also critical to make tooth-brushing part of your child's daily routine. If you're struggling to get them to cooperate, make it a fun family activity by brushing with them and letting them choose a fun kid-oriented toothpaste and toothbrush. Parents can even make a game out of tooth-brushing by turning it into a story where kids can battle the evil bacteria, defeating them with their mighty toothbrush. Putting stickers on a calendar as a daily reward is also a helpful way to encourage kids' cooperation. There are even some apps which can help make brushing more fun, and your dentist can always help by demonstrating how to brush in an exciting way - sometimes even using a big toothbrush and a stuffed animal with a set of teeth in it.
Having your child visit the dentist for the first time by the age of one is another important action, not only to identify any cavities, but also because it is a great opportunity for young children to have a pleasant, safe, and fun visit to the dentist. Sometimes a young child can sit on a parent's lap while the dentist looks at their teeth in a friendly, non-threatening way, and children will often pick up on the positive and trusting relationship that their parent has with the dentist. As a child's perception and attitude towards dentistry is often based on their early experiences, this is a wonderful opportunity to get children off to a great start that will benefit them, and their dental health, throughout their entire life.
Dr. Keith Libou, D.M.D., chief clinical officer, joined Delta Dental of New Jersey in 2014. Prior to joining Delta Dental, he served as chief dental officer at Dental Care Alliance (DCA), while also overseeing DCA's affiliated multi-location group practice in Pennsylvania as Dental Director. From 1998 to 2000, Dr. Libou was Vice President of Operations and National Dental Director at Oral Health Services, and prior to that he served as Dental Director of the Eastern Region at Cigna Dental from 1995 to 1997.
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