Gordon: Tooth decay is an early childhood concern

Published 7:41 am Tuesday, February 25, 2020

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More than 40 percent of children have tooth decay before they reach school, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  One Healthy Louisiana Medicaid health plan is committed to reducing that percentage in Louisiana.

In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month (February), Louisiana Healthcare Connections (LHC) is promoting the benefits of good oral health to children and their caregivers.

“A healthy mouth and teeth are a critical part of a child’s overall wellness. We also know that children with poor oral health are absent more often from school and achieve lower grades than kids who have good dental habits,” said Stewart Gordon, MD, pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer for LHC. “The best way to ensure a child’s oral health is to teach the child good dental habits so that oral hygiene becomes part of the daily routine. It is never too early to begin practicing good oral care.”

Gordon shares tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help parents establish healthy habits for their children:

  • Toothbrushing should begin when the first tooth appears.“Don’t assume that because baby teeth will fall out that they don’t matter. Dental decay in baby teeth can cause problems for permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems, so begin brushing your child’s teeth twice a day with a tiny amount – about the size of a grain of rice – of fluoride toothpaste as soon as that first tooth arrives,” said Gordon.  “After the third birthday, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used. Parents should help or supervise a child brushing his or her teeth until mastery is obtained, usually at around eight years of age.”
  • Diet plays an important role in a child’s dental health.“The longer and more often your child’s teeth are exposed to sugar, the greater the risk of cavities. Brushing your child’s teeth after consuming sugar can help to reduce that risk,” said Gordon.
  • Regular dental check-ups should begin at age 1.“As part of this check-up, the dentist will make sure your child’s teeth are developing normally and that no dental problems are developing. The dentist may also want to apply topical fluoride for extra protection against cavities,” Gordon said.
  • Do not allow children to sleep with a bottle. “Allowing your child to go to bed or take naps with bottles filled with milk, juices, formula, soda or other sweet drinks over-exposes their teeth to sugar and can cause tooth decay,” cautioned Gordon.

“Oral health is very important, and it’s never too early to begin building a healthy smile,” said Gordon. “Whether your child has baby teeth, permanent teeth or both, regular dental care and proper habits lowers the risk of serious dental issues later in life.”

For more dental tips for children, visit HealthyChildren.org, a web-based resource library for parents and caregivers by the American Academy of Pediatrics. LHC exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. For more information, visit LouisianaHealthConnect.com.