Cavities Are Preventable

How do you keep your kid’s cavity-free?

That is the million-dollar question!

Dental decay is the most common chronic preventable childhood disease, affecting 50 percent of children by the age of 5 and nearly 70 percent by the time they are teens. Luckily it is easily prevented by implementing a proper oral hygiene routine at an early age. By emphasizing good oral health habits as early as soon as your baby is born, parents can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of effective and efficient oral health habits.

“”Preventing early childhood caries is essential to the health of a child’s mouth and body!

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and Dental hygienists are the frontline of defense against oral disease. They play an essential role in teaching how to prevent early childhood cavities, as well as the education of both parents and children on the importance of proper oral health habits.

Cavities are not a normal part of growing up. It is your habit that both cause and prevent cavities. Change your habits to change your life. Developing a system is the3 best way to establish healthy habits that last a lifetime.

The ADHA is encouraging dental hygienists across the country to get involved in NDHM this October to increase public awareness of proper oral health habits for children, especially the prevention of early childhood caries.

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 120,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.

Start by asking the right questions? I know that is easier said than done. Right especially when you don’t know what you don’t know!

Oral health starts at home. Houston we have a problem! 50% of the United States population does not even go see a dentist until there is a problem. Picking the right provider for you is the next biggest hurdle. How do you know? Like everything in life, it is trial and error. You can get a recommendation from a friend or do your research on google dentists in y our area.

Ask your self questions first  before you pick an office:

1. Do you prefer a  Male or female Dentist?
2. Do you have dental insurance?
3. Are you ok with paying your portion at the time of the visit?
4. will you need an office that offers billing or care credit?
5. Do you need or want to see a certain provider?
6. What is your reason for visiting a dentist?
   1. Prevention
   2. In pain
7. Do you have any concerns?
   1. Time
   2. Budget
   3. Lack of trust
   4. Fear
8. Are you pro Fluoride or Non-Fluoride?
9. Do you prefer old school or state of the art?
10. Do you want an office that hall in one care? Meaning a big practice that can offer Oral Surgeon, Pedodontist, Orthodontist, Periodontist, Endodontist?
11. Do you prefer an office that offers Nitrous oxide ( happy gas)?
12. Do you have a family history of cavities or gum disease?
13. Are you taking medications