By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson pediatric dentist reminds us that keeping children's teeth healthy starts early. February is Children's Dental Health Month.
"We like to instruct the parent, as soon as the child is born, to really start getting in their mouth and looking around and getting familiar with it," said Dr. Kricket Young. "As soon as that first baby tooth comes in, we want parents to start caring for that tooth. We really suggest that parents are actively involved with caring for the teeth until the child is able to take that over themselves."
Many children are able to take that chore over in late elementary school. Generally, brush for two minutes.
"With kids, not only are you looking for the common things like cavities, but there's a lot of growth and development that's taking place during those early years," Young said. "There can be other problems that pop up, whether it be a cyst or a growth issue or your common cavity. Those type of things, if you catch them and you check the teeth every six months, then you can catch a problem when it's small."
There also is a best time to brush in the day.
"What I really like to recommend is that before the child goes to bed that their teeth are clean," said Dr. Young. "Most children will sleep 10 to 12 hours a night. If you think, wow, that's 10 to 12 hours with no food on their teeth, then you can assure that they won't have cavities. That is the most important time to brush their teeth."
It's also important to brush if your child is taking any medications that use a syrup as a delivery method, as those often contain sugar, as well.