Monday, March 30, 2015
Perth District Health Unit
April is Oral Health Month - Dental Problems Among Young Children Increasing
April is Oral Health Month and the Health Unit is concerned that tooth decay rates among children aged two to four are increasing, according to recent research and local data. In fact, the Canadian Institute for Health Information identified cavities as the leading cause of day surgery among children one to five years old.
The Importance of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth play an important role in a child’s development. They help them eat, speak and assist the permanent teeth to come in straight. “Parents play an important role in caring for their child’s baby teeth in order to prevent bad habits from starting,” says Anna Read, Registered Dental Hygienist at the Health Unit.
Local Data
In 2014, as part of the Health Unit’s dental screening program, 4,301 children in Perth County had their teeth screened by a Registered Dental Hygienist in schools and at the Health Unit:
- 440 children were identified as requiring urgent dental care (10%)
- 302 children were identified with non-urgent dental concerns (7%)
- 269 (52%) children were treated for urgent dental needs under the CINOT program (needing financial assistance)
- 34% of these children treated were 5 years of age and under.
“Many people may not realize that tooth decay is a preventable infectious disease and is the most common chronic disease in children,” says Read.
Oral Health Tips
Oral health tips to prevent tooth decay in baby teeth:
- Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean damp cloth after feedings.
- Brush your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste if recommended by a dental professional or call Health Line.
- Provide healthy foods and limit sugary snacks.
- Babies do not need juice; choose water instead. Transition your child to an open cup by one year of age and avoid using sippy cups.
- Schedule your baby’s first dental visit by age one.
Dental Health Programs
To support the need for earlier detection and prevention of oral health problems in younger children, the Health Unit is offering free fluoride varnish to all eligible children under 3 years of age. The varnish can be applied to baby teeth as soon as they appear and helps protect the teeth from decay. In 2014, Health Unit dental team staff applied fluoride varnish to 175 children from one to five years of age.
Children in families without dental coverage may be eligible for public health dental programs, such as Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) and Healthy Smiles Ontario.
For more information:
Media Contact:
Rebecca Hill
Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279
rhill@pdhu.on.ca
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