Feb. 10--The earlier you get your child set up with a dentist, the better it is in the long run, says Dr. Jana Winfree, chief of the state Health Department's dental health service. "The trend is getting children going to the dentists younger and younger," she said.
The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing your child with a dentist by 1 year of age, and advises parents to take their infant to a dentist as soon as the first tooth breaks through.
According to a 2004 study published in the journal Pediatrics, dental costs for children who had their first dental visit before 1 year of age were 40 percent lower in the first five years than for those who don't see a dentist before their first birthday.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month aimed at educating parents about children's oral health.
"Tooth decay remains the most common childhood disease," said Dr. Tawana Bourlier, lead dentist at Oklahoma Smiles of Tulsa. It is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But it is preventable through good nutrition and dental hygiene, Winfree said.
"There's nothing more heartbreaking than to see a 3- or 4-year-old with massive tooth decay -- because you know it's preventable," she said.
Although you can call the local dental society or the Oklahoma Dental Association for a list of pediatric dentists in your area, there's nothing better than recommendations from friends and family, she said.
Free dental screenings
Oklahoma Smiles Dental Center of Tulsa will offer free dental screenings 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday in recognition of Children's Dental Health Month. The screenings will be offered at the clinic, which is located at 401-A S. Utica Ave. Parents interested in scheduling an appointment for their child should call 599-8383.
Tips for caregivers
Do not feed a baby by propping the bottle. Babies should be weaned from the bottle by age 1.
Limit the use of sippy cups. Sippy cups function in the same way bottles do; children must suck to get the liquid. Encourage your toddler to learn to sip by using a cup without a valve.
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, at first with a soft cloth. There are special soft toothbrushes for small children.
Brush your child's teeth daily until the child can do it alone, usually by early elementary school age.
Check with your public water utility system to see if your water is fluoridated. A dentist or dental hygienist can apply topical fluoride twice a year.
Take your child regularly to visit a dentist. Ask about sealants. Sealants provide a protective barrier that covers the chewing surfaces of back teeth -- especially first molars.
Kim Archer 581-8315 kim.archer@tulsaworld.com
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