A Healthy Smile Starts Now!

A HEALTAY SMILE STARTS NOW! Children's Dental Health Statistics 00 86% of children have tooth decay by age 17 About 20% of 50% of children preschoolers have tooth decay have tooth decay by the third grade 7% of children have lost at least one tooth to decay by age 17 16.2% of children 78.9% of children ages ages 6-19 have untreated cavities 2-17 have visited the dentist in the last year Tooth decay in children is: 7 TIMES 5 TIMES as common as as common hay fever as asthma Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy Encourage good dental habits Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste Show your child how to brush with a soft- bristled toothbrush Help your child floss as soon as the molars come together, around age 3 Visit the dentist See a pediatric dentist for a checkup by age 1 Start regular cleanings at a family dentist at age 3 Ask about sealants Sealants last about 5-10 years Sealants help protect back teeth from decay Cut down on sweets Sugary snacks between meals can lead to plaque growth Each time the teeth are exposed to sugar, it promotes plaque buildup Limit sticky foods Raisins, fruit snacks, and candy all stick to the teeth Encourage your child to drink water after eating these snacks Watch the sippy cup Prolonged exposure to sugary drinks like juice can damage teeth Young children should only have water in sippy cups Set a good example Make up games or songs when you brush your teeth to keep it fun Brush and floss your teeth at the same time as your child No bottle in bed Give your child water before bed if he or she is thirsty Constant bottle sucking can lead to improper alignment of erupting teeth The sugars in milk and juice remain in the mouth during sleep and can accelerate decay INFOGRAPHIC PROVIDED BY SOUTH RIDING FAMILY DENTISTRY, PLC www.southridingfamilydentistry.com Sources: http://nyporgihealth/pediatric-dental-statistics html http:/www.ednewsparent.org/healthy-schools949-Just-the-facts-stats-on-childrens-oral-health http:www.cdcogovinchetastatsidental htm Http://articles latimes.com/2011//01/health/hk-he-children-onal-health-tips-2011001 http://www.cdcgovloralhealthpublicationsfactsheets/seolants fag hem Help www.cd govloralhealthtopicsichid htm Petp:/www.aapd orgesources/trequently askad_questions/#35