FAMILY HEALTH
The month of February is all about sharing love — including love for your teeth! In honor of February being National Children’s Dental Health Month, we asked the experts at Dental Depot to share their answers to common parent questions about kids’ dental care. For the of Your Child’s Smile
BY METROFAMILY’S EDITORIAL TEAM
When should my child have their first dentist appointment?
What kind of products should I use? For babies and kids alike, stick to brushes with soft bristles. Your child’s toothbrush should be changed every three months. Does my child need dental sealants? Dental sealants can prevent 80 percent of cavities from happening! They are applied as a thin coating over the deep pits and grooves of the molars, typically around ages 6 and 12, preventing plaque and bacteria from building up in hard-to- reach places. Each tooth is cleaned and dried to keep bacteria from getting trapped. Then, an etching solution is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth and the sealant is brushed onto the tooth and cured. The process is quick and painless with no numbing required. Because sealants are preventative services, most insurances – including Medicaid – cover sealants at 100 percent up to ages 14 to 16.
The American Dental Association recommends parents bring babies to the dentist soon after their first tooth breaks through the gums. This gives the dentist a chance to check for decay, provide advice for preventing future decay (including sealants) and show you how to care for your child’s teeth. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions in kids, affecting
20 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 11. When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
As soon as your child’s first tooth breaks through the gums, begin brushing their teeth with a baby toothbrush or a warm washcloth. Brushing your baby’s teeth twice a day will prevent cavities and ensure your baby has the healthiest smile. Use of a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste is recommended for children from 2 to 6 years of age.
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About Dental Depot Dental Depot’s newest metro location in the Deer Creek area at Portland Avenue and 164th Street offers comprehensive dental care for the entire family, including full-service general dentistry, dental hygiene and state-of-the-art orthodontics. Flexible appointment times are available Monday through Saturday, with same-day emergency appointments available, too. SoonerCare, most major insurances and cash pay are all accepted. Dental Depot is an Oklahoma-based company providing convenient, affordable and quality dental care, as well as support of various metro nonprofit organizations, for more than 40 years. Visit dentaldepot.net for more information and to make an appointment.
10 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JAN-FEB 2023
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