February is Children's Dental Health Month
February is Children’s Dental Health month! The purpose of this is to encourage the parents or guardians of those under 12 years old to book a dental appointment for their young ones. A trip to the dentist every six months creates a great habit that your child will carry with them throughout their lifetime. If you are looking for a kid’s dentist in Jacksonville, FL, give River Oaks Dental a call at 904-348-0416. Our friendly and caring staff love children and we always make going to the dentist fun for your kids!
Not only do six month visits help a child’s teeth feel clean, these visits also allow the dentist to monitor the loss of their baby teeth and growth of their permanent teeth or catch cavities before they become too large. Also, these hygiene visits will reinforce the importance of good oral care at home by showing and explaining proper brushing and flossing techniques. These skills are extremely important to learn at a young age given that 20% of children between 5-11 years old have at least one tooth with decay.
Bringing your child to the dentist from an early age will prevent or help overcome the fear of going to doctor visits. Here at River Oaks Dental we treat all patients with care and we understand that little ones might be nervous to come see us. We aim to provide a soothing setting for children by allowing them time to get comfortable in our children’s waiting room – stocked with games, a television, and a treasure box full of prizes. Our stuffed animal “Allie the Alligator” helps us show children how to brush and serves as a comforting tool throughout their visit.
After an initial exam, and depending on the age of your child, your dentist may recommend the application of sealants to help prevent cavities in the deep grooves of the molars. We can ease your child’s nerves throughout any procedure with the use of nitrous oxide laughing gas or even with a good movie playing on the televisions found in treatment rooms.
In the meantime, here is what you can do for your child to ensure good oral health:
- Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day and supervise them to make sure they are cleaning appropriately. If your child can't tie his own shoe laces then he doesn't have the manual dexterity to effectively brush and floss without your assistance.
- Limit the amount of sugar in your child's diet-including sodas and candies
- Talk to your dentist about the benefits of fluoride application. We recommend the application of fluoride at each hygiene visit
- Bring your baby in for a dental visit before their 1st birthday