Wendy C. Fries Brunilda Nazario, MD Smile and say cheese!
February is Children's Dental Health month, time to make sure
tots, tweens, and teens are getting the tooth care they need.
Even tiny tots need regular checkups, just like mom and dad. The
American Dental Association recommends kids start getting
checkups at about age 1, or when their first tooth appears. Yet
even before then it's important to care for your child's teeth
and gums. Though they'll eventually lose them, baby teeth help a
child speak and chew well, and also create a path for the
permanent teeth that follow. To care for baby and toddler dental
health: Though your preteen and teenager will still receive care
from their pediatric dentist, essentially their basic dental
health needs are similar to adults. They (and you!) should: And
be sure your kids know that if those pearly whites are to last a
lifetime they're not to be used as ice crushers, fork tine
straighteners, and potato chip bag openers. Now, smile and say
cheese! SOURCES: American D