Did You Know...?
By the age 5, nearly 50% of children have one or more cavities.
Dental decay in baby teeth can negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems.
Cavity-damaged teeth can cause serious problems such as difficulty chewing and breaking down food to extract the nutrients they need.
Having a dental professional as a resource to your support system could provide ongoing peace of mind for your entire family.
Click here to learn tips for maintaining healthy teeth!
Tips for Taking Good Care of Your Family’s Teeth:
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, in the morning and before bed, and be sure to focus on areas such as the gum line, hard to reach back teeth
Floss every day: Flossing removes bacteria that are precursors for plaque/tooth decay/tooth loss.
Avoid sugar sweetened foods and beverages that cause tooth decay. Drink plenty of water
Limit soda: Too much acid in your mouth can eventually damage the enamel on your teeth.
Visit the dentist every six months to help get rid of plaque and tartar that can build up in a very short time and if not removed, could lead to gum disease.
Use child friendly mouthwash to help control tooth decay, reduce the amount of plaque and to freshen your breath! But remember, mouthwash is in addition to brushing – a power combo!
Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months or at least after each 6 month checkup. Older brushes won’t clean the teeth as thoroughly and could have a buildup of bacteria. If you have been sick, change it sooner.
Find out more ways that your child can improve their dental health hygiene with some local resources on the Bergen ResourceNet:
1) Center for Dentistry – Hackensack University Medical Center
2) Dental Hygiene Clinic – Bergen Community College
3) North Hudson Community Action Health Centers
4) Bergen County Wellness Discount Program
Source: Mouth Healthy website of the American Dental Association
