Wednesday, April 06, 2016
Perth District Health Unit
Smile, April is Oral Health Month!
Childhood Tooth Decay Linked to Sugary Drinks and Snacks
April is oral health month. The dental team at the Perth District Health Unit wants to raise awareness about the link between childhood tooth decay and sugary drinks and snacks.
A recent Health Status Report showed that one quarter of Perth County children begin junior kindergarten with tooth decay. By grade two, about half of kids have experienced tooth decay.
“Children’s eating and drinking patterns can have a big impact on decay rates,” says Anna Read, Registered Dental Hygienist. “When children frequently sip on milk, juice or pop during the day, their teeth are constantly exposed to sugar. This sugar combines with bacteria or plaque in the mouth to make acid. The acid causes tooth decay.”
Even though baby teeth will fall out, they are essential for helping children to eat and speak, and for guiding the adult teeth to come in straight. Oral health problems can be painful, and can negatively affect a child’s overall health, self-esteem and school performance.
Dental problems can also be costly to treat but can be prevented with these tips:
- 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 rice grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as your child is able to spit
- Provide healthy snacks that are low in sugar and that don’t stick to the teeth
- When your child is thirsty, plain water is the preferred drink. Serve your child’s 100% juice and milk at meal times only.
- Transition your child to an open cup by one year of age; avoid using sippy cups
- Schedule your child’s first dental visit by age one
Babies can get cavities as soon as their teeth appear. Parents are urged to ‘lift the lip’ monthly to check for early signs of tooth decay. If they notice white, chalky areas along the gum line of the upper front teeth, they should contact their dental provider.
Dental Health Programs
To support the need for early detection and prevention of oral health problems in young children, the Health Unit offers free screening and fluoride varnish to those who are eligible. The varnish can be applied to baby teeth as soon as they appear and helps protect the teeth from decay. In 2015, 240 children between one and five years of age received fluoride varnish from Health Unit dental staff.
Children and youth aged 17 and under from low income households may be eligible for free dental care under the Healthy Smiles Ontario program. To find out if your family is eligible and to enroll, visit www.ontario.ca/healthysmiles. The Health Unit can help families with completing the application.
For more information:
Media Contact:
Rebecca Hill
Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279
rhill@pdhu.on.ca
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