Say Aah: DS offers day of children’s appointments

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brooke Mortenson
  • 81st Dental Squadron
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! Did you know tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children?

Cavities can develop when sugar-containing foods stay in the mouth for a long time. The good news is there are safe and effective preventive measures that can protect your child’s teeth.

To raise awareness about the importance of good dental health, the Keesler Dental Clinic will be hosting the “Give Kids a Smile” event March 1 from 7-11 a.m. A limited number of dental appointments will take place during the event to eligible Defense Department dependents ages 1-14. Each patient will receive an exam, x-rays and if needed a dental cleaning.

Baby teeth are very important to the dental development of your child since healthy habits start early. The misconception that they are “no big deal because they are going to fall out anyway,” could not be further from the truth. They do eventually fall out but until they do, but baby teeth play an important role in helping your child keep space for permanent teeth, speak clearly and bite and chew food.

A baby’s first tooth usually pushes through the gums at about 6 months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. As soon as the tooth appears in the mouth it is susceptible to decay. Caregivers should brush the teeth of children under 3 with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. Caregivers should ensure children brush their teeth thoroughly twice a day. They should supervise tooth brushing to ensure they use of the proper amount of toothpaste.

To help combat tooth decay limit sugary foods and drinks both during and between meal times and have your child drink fluoridated tap water. Bottled formula, milk, juice or food should not be left on a baby’s teeth while they are sleeping. Additionally, restrict the amount of 100 percent fruit juice to 4 to 6 ounces per day. Fruit juice is both acidic and sugary and can lead to accelerated tooth decay.

Children 3 to 6 years should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Parents should continue to supervise their children’s tooth brushing, until they’re comfortable the child can brush on his or her own. When a child has two teeth that touch, they should begin flossing their teeth daily.

Remind children not to swallow the toothpaste because ingesting too much toothpaste can lead to unhealthy levels of fluoride in a child’s body. This can lead to nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

Overexposure to fluoride within the first eight years of life can also lead to a cosmetic condition known as fluorosis.

Teeth affected by fluorosis can display white markings, stains ranging from yellow to dark brown, surface irregularities and pitting.

Government agencies regulate water from public systems. Vigilance is the key to preventing fluorosis since some bottled waters, fruit juices and soft drinks can contain fluoride. To avoid fluorosis take the time to read the labels to learn how much fluoride a child might be ingesting.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child has their first dental visit within six months of the first tooth eruption or by the age of 12 months, whichever comes first. Developing positive dental health habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.Signupgenius.com and click on “find a sign up.” Once there search for the e-mail Ashlee.Johnson.3@us.af.mil. Appointments must be made by Feb. 15 and can only be made on the website.

For more information about the event, contact Staff Sgt. Brooke Mortensen at 228-376-0511.