February Is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

February 9, 2021

Stay In Touch


Stay In Touch:

The 40th Consecutive Celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month!

February 2021 marks the 40th consecutive celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month. What began as a small, one-day occurrence in Citrus Heights, CA, grew into the nationally observed Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8, 1949. This annual effort by the American Dental Association (ADA) was extended to a week in 1955 and then, in 1981, became the month-long event we know today. National Children’s Dental Health Month is a great time to remind yourself and your patients why pediatric dental care is so important and revisit the steps that can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.

Dental caries or tooth decay is a problem at any age, but it creates especially widespread and long-lasting problems for children and their caregivers. Short-term effects of caries include pain, discomfort, and infection, as well as disruptions in appetite, sleep schedule and the ability to learn and socialize.


6 Tips for Keeping Your Child's Smile Healthy!

  1. Schedule regular Dental visits: A child’s first visit to the dentist should be scheduled by the time they turn 1 year old or their first tooth emerges. After the initial visit, future appointments can be scheduled about every 6 months.
  2. Clean your baby’s gums regularly: Carefully wipe the gums with a damp washcloth after each meal. This will help to remove any debris or bacteria and can help prevent cavity development.
  3. Brush teeth once they appear: Once your child develops their first tooth, clean the tooth with an infant toothbrush, water, and a very small mouth of fluoride toothpaste.
  4. Get into a brushing routine: Brush teeth 2x daily. Children 2-6 years old should brush their kid’s teeth 2x daily with a pea-sized amount of Fluoride toothpaste. Kids 6-8 yrs should be able to brush their teeth with supervision. By 8 or 9 years, children can brush their teeth independently. Replace the toothbrush every 3-4 months.
  5. Add flossing to your child’s oral hygiene routine: As soon as two of the teeth touch, children should floss once per day.
  6. Eat healthily and keep hydrated: In addition to fruits and veggies, foods low in sugar and high in calcium (cheese, some yogurts) can help prevent dental caries. Water should be a child’s primary source of hydration over soda or juice. If your community has a fluoridated public water supply, this can be very beneficial in protecting you child’s teeth from decay and strengthening their tooth enamel.

Request a Consultation!

Pristine Family Dentistry
8035 Madison Avenue, Suite F2 Citrus Heights CA 95610
1-916-967-0358 USD Cash, Check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Most Dental Insurance Plans, CareCredit, Lending Club Patient Solutions, Prosper Healthcare Lending
Nathalie Selvanathan Doctor
Karthik Raghuraman Doctor