Oral Instruction: Why Children’s Dental Health Month Matters

Did you know that the first Children’s Health Day was celebrated on February 8, 1949? Then, as more communities realized the value of teaching families about dental care, the tradition grew.  Today, decades later, the American Dental Association (ADA) honors the many dental professionals who care for your kid’s smile for all of February for Children’s Dental Health Month.

If you’re wondering why this recognition of pediatric dental health is so important, continue reading to learn 3 potential ways it can improve your family’s oral well-being!

Reason #1: Avoid Cavities

Many well-meaning parents and guardians mistakenly believe that cavities in baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll eventually fall out anyway. Unfortunately, tooth decay is contagious and can spread to your kid’s neighboring teeth, gums, and jawbone. This can affect their permanent pearly whites before erupt, impacting your child’s dental condition long-term.

February is an ideal time to spread the word about the value of proper dental care for kids of all ages. After all, Valentine’s Day is in just a couple of weeks, and your child is likely to gather plenty of cards and candies from friends, family, and classmates at school. Sweet treats attract harmful bacteria that erode their enamel and cause decay, so there’s no better time than now for a checkup!

Reason #2: Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is another common issue in still-developing grins. In fact, an estimated 50% of kids have some form of periodontal problem, like gingivitis, that needs to be addressed. Although this disease starts small, it usually doesn’t clear up on its own. To make matters worse, it’s the number one leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Taking your child to visit their dentist regularly allows their provider to monitor their condition to catch and address these types of concerns before they progress. You might not realize it, but scheduling consistent appointments can help preserve your kid’s smile.

Reason #3: Teach the Value of Dental Care

Taking your child to their dentist regularly can also help them establish healthy dental hygiene habits that will benefit them for the remainder of their life. They’ll learn why it’s essential to keep their mouth clean and how to brush and floss their teeth properly.

Plus, they’ll become accustomed to ongoing dental care, so they’ll be more likely to continue caring for their grin correctly once they’re old enough to schedule their own visits.

If you’ve been waiting for ‘the right time’ to take your child to the dentist, there’s no better opportunity than during Children’s Dental Health Month!

About the Practice

At Martinez Dentistry, you and your family benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping people of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Harman work together to provide a comprehensive menu of services conveniently under one roof, including pediatric services. They combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver customized treatment plans for accurate, long-lasting results. If it’s been a while since your child had a dental exam, you can request an appointment on the website or call (765) 724-7729.