Tips help keep children’s smiles healthy in 2018

As 21st Century creeps near, the phrase that comes to mind is “The Future is Now,” said a Bayou District Dental Society news release. The way children care for their bodies today will have an impact on their health as adults, the release stated.
Preventive dental care has dramatically improved the oral health of American children. It’s now possible for many children to reach adulthood without ever experiencing tooth decay.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the Bayou District Dental Society has these tips for parents and caregivers:
—Take your child to see the dentist regularly, beginning by the child’s first birthday.
—Put only water in a child’s naptime or bedtime bottle.
—Start brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth appears.
—Begin flossing when two teeth begin to touch.
—Brush and floss your child’s teeth daily until the child can be taught to do this alone.
—Make certain your child gets the fluoride needed for decay-resistant teeth. Ask your dentist how this should be done.
—Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a thin protective barrier that shields the chewing surface of back teeth against tooth decay.
Good oral health practices should begin in infancy and continue throughout adult life. In a child’s early years, parents must provide this care. Later parents will need to instruct, monitor and motivate your child to help maintain good oral health habits.
Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life.