In a combined effort and support and as part of the integration process, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center is celebrating NCDHM by distributing toothbrushes, oral hygiene tips and tooth brushing lessons to children on both locations, Feb. 17 in the WRAMC Dental Clinic at 10 a.m., Feb 19 in NNMC’s Bldg. 9, and Dec. 2 in front of the Oral Surgery Department between 10 a.m. and noon, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Parent are encouraged to bring their children!

Dental decay is among the most common disease affecting children, and it is also the most preventable. Baby teeth help with a variety of normal developmental functions ranging from getting proper nutrition to learning how to talk to the correct development of jaw and facial muscles. Poor oral health has been related to decreased school performance, poor social relationships.

Inadequate nutrition during childhood can have detrimental effects on children’s cognitive development and on productivity in adulthood. Nutritional deficiencies also negatively affect children’s school performance, their ability to concentrate and perform complex tasks, and their behavior.

Children experiencing pain are distracted and unable to concentrate on schoolwork.

Students between the ages of 5 and 17 have lost an average of 3 days of school per year because of dental problems and complications.

You should begin your child’s dental carebefore your baby is born. You can take good care of your baby’s health (not just the teeth) by eating the right foods and taking vitamins. Follow your doctors’ advice!

Good oral hygiene habits should begin before your child’s first tooth comes in. Check your baby’s mouth periodically even before the first tooth erupts.

The bacteria that causes cavities is infectious in nature and it is transmitted usually from mother (or caregiver) to the child, so the caregiver should pay extra attention to their own oral hygiene habits. Wiping your baby’s gum with a soft cloth after feedings helps prevent the build up of debris. This is good for developing habitual oral hygiene schedule from the start.

The bacteria that causes cavities appears in the mouth with the eruption of the first tooth and continues growing in the surfaces of the teeth, where it adheres.

When teeth appear, cleaned daily with a dampened gauze pad or clean washcloth until your baby is big enough to begin using a toothbrush .

Choose foods that do not have a lot of sugar in them. Give your child fruits and vegetables instead of candies and cookies.

With your toddler, at least once a day (better before bedtime) brush your child’s teeth. Several times during the day, preferably after meals let your child brush their own teeth. It is important to develop a pattern of dental care.

At about the age of 2, most children have a complete primary dentition erupted (20 baby teeth total). Now you can start brushing them with a small drop of fluoridated toothpaste (half a pea size).

You need to supervise the tooth brushing of young children until they are about 7 or 8 because they lack the manual dexterity to brush their teeth properly.

If you live in an area where the tap water doesn’t contain fluoride, your doctor or dentist may prescribe daily fluoride tablets when your child is about 6 months old. Fluoride is an important part of your child’s dental health, but do not exceed the directions given by your doctor. Too much fluoride can cause stains on your child’s teeth.

Diet does affect a child’s teeth. Avoid sweet and sticky food and in between meal snacks. Give your child meals and snacks at regular times, fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese and crackers are great snacks choices!

Baby bottle can create additional problems to your child’s teeth, especially at bedtimes. If your child is over 12 months and is used to go to bed with a bottle, switch it to water rather than milk and wean your child of the bottle at bedtime. If younger, wipe off the teeth surface after feeding to avoid cavities in your baby’s teeth.

It is normal for children to suck their thumbs, finger or a pacifier. Most children give up the habit on their own by the age of 4, with no permanent harm done to their teeth. You should slowly wean your child off the habit so that your child does not perceive it as a punishment. The sooner you wean them off, the sooner front teeth will go back to the normal position.

Don’t forget about flossing.