NORTHERN MICHIGAN – February has been named Nationwide Youngsters’s Dental Well being Month.
This month-long nationwide well being observance brings collectively hundreds of devoted dental professionals, healthcare suppliers, and educators to advertise the advantages of fine oral well being to youngsters, their caregivers, academics, and plenty of others.
February can be an vital time to extend the concentrate on the worth of normal dental check-ups and a balanced weight loss plan. We additionally wish to remind mother and father that youngsters can keep away from cavities and keep good oral well being by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and selecting wholesome snacks.
The Central Michigan District Well being Division workers want to let the group know that we are able to present oral screening and polish purposes for youngsters 6 months to 35 months who’re enrolled in our WIC packages and/or are eligible for Medicaid insurance coverage protection. Registered Nurses can even present oral screenings twice a 12 months for these and not using a dental dwelling to find out the necessity for a referral to a dentist for analysis and comply with up care.
Oral Screening and Fouride varnish purposes
Varnish purposes will probably be carried out to these purchasers as much as 4 occasions per 12 months, who’re at excessive threat of dental cavities and gum illness, and who aren’t at present receiving therapies by way of an everyday dentist. The purpose of the Oral Screening and Varnish Software Program is to forestall tooth decay. Fluoride varnish is endorsed by the American Dental Affiliation and is authorised by the FDA.
To preserve your younger youngster’s mouth wholesome:
• Place solely formulation, milk, or breast milk in bottles. Keep away from filling the bottle with liquids comparable to sugar water, juice, or comfortable drinks.
• Infants ought to end their bedtime and naptime bottles earlier than going to mattress.
• In case your youngster makes use of a pacifier, present one that’s clear—don’t dip it in sugar or honey, or put it in your mouth earlier than giving it to the kid.
• Encourage youngsters to drink from a cup by their first birthday and discourage frequent or extended use of sippy cups.
• Serve nutritious snacks and restrict sweets to mealtimes. Older youngsters ought to comply with the identical guidelines of normal brushing, flossing, dental visits, consuming a balanced weight loss plan, and avoiding sugary drinks like juice and comfortable drinks. Sugars and starches encourage the manufacturing of plaque which might assault tooth enamel.