It is important to teach children the importance of dental health at an early age. According to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, more than 40% of children have cavities on their teeth by the time they reach kindergarten. One significant way to reduce the risk of children having cavities is to create preventative dental habits when they are young.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), and this year’s theme is “Defeat Monster Mouth.” Through a variety of resources, the campaign helps to promote good oral health and educates children on healthy habits and ways to prevent oral health problems such as cavities.
NCDHM is organized by the American Dental Association and Crest + Oral B. There are several resources available to parents and dental clinics, such as posters, crossword puzzles, coloring pages, and connect the dots activity sheets. In addition, there are planning guides and publicity resources available for download.
The family dentists at Dakota Dental also provide a large amount of resources to parents and children about preparing for their first dental visit, preventative dental care tips, and more. There is also a list of books for kids of all ages to help teach them about the dentist.
All of these resources can help parents educate their children about taking care of their teeth and how to have a healthy smile in a fun way. Creating solid habits of brushing, flossing and eating healthy snacks can significantly help in preventing cavities on teeth.
For more information about pediatric dentistry and how to clean your teeth, or to schedule an appointment for your children or the whole family, talk to the dentists at Dakota Dental today and be sure to check out the resources provided by the NCDHM.