In honor of National Children's Dental Health Month, Crow Wing County is reminding residents of its Child and Teen Checkups program and the importance of oral health care.
"Bringing your child in to see a dentist at least once a year starting at 12 months of age is extremely important in preventing tooth decay and identifying dental diseases," stated Stacy Patnode, public health nurse with the Child and Teen Checkup outreach program, in a news release. "The earlier these problems are caught, usually the less painful and expensive they are to treat. Dentists are also able to place dental sealants on children's permanent molar teeth to prevent future cavities."
Patnode acknowledged in the release finding dental care is sometimes a challenge for families with financial concerns.
"We have dental providers that host special events each year in our community that allows these families to have access to dental care services," Patnode stated.
Visit www.ChildandTeenCheckups.com for a list of dentists in Crow Wing County who accept Medical Assistance.
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Keeping children's teeth healthy and preventing oral disease is an important part of their overall health. Oral diseases, including cavities, are nearly 100 percent preventable, yet they are common, affecting children all across Minnesota every day.
"Fortunately, there are many ways to help prevent oral diseases and many of them start with things you can do in your own home," Patnode stated.
The following are tips for at-home care:
• Children should brush their teeth, or if too young to brush effectively themselves, have their teeth brushed for them, at least twice a day.
• Ensure that a child is using toothpaste that contains fluoride, if they are old enough to rinse and spit. Also consider fluoride rinses, especially if water is not treated with fluoride (most homes within city limits have treated water).
• Have children floss at least once a day. This is an important habit for children to start at an early age, especially once their teeth start to touch together.
• Provide children with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and offer less sugar-sweetened beverages and foods to help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and cancer.
