COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- National Children’s Dental Health Month is a national observance held annually in February.
During this time, many educators and professionals such as dentists, hygienists, dental technicians, and other healthcare specialists promote oral health and proper dental hygiene for children.
This year’s NCDHM campaign slogan, by the American Dental Association, is “Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile.” Members of the Dental Flight will visit the Child Development Center and Youth Center to stress the importance of proper brushing and flossing techniques, good nutrition habits, and use of fluoridated water during these visits. What children eat and when they eat it may affect not only their general health but also their oral health. They will be informing youth and adults about how choosing tap water can guard against tooth decay.
Fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay in children and adults. Studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by at least 25 percent in children and adults, even in the of era widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste. By drinking tap water, people can benefit from fluoridation's cavity protection whether they are at home, work, or school.
Communities fluoridate their water supply because it is a cost-effective public health method that helps prevent cavities. The average cost per year for U.S. communities to fluoridate the water ranges from $.50 per person for large communities to $3 per person for small communities. Studies show communities of more than 20,000 people where it costs about $.50 per person to fluoridate the water, every one dollar invested in this preventive measure yields approximately $38 savings in dental treatment costs. Researchers estimated in 2003 one state saved nearly $149 million in unnecessary treatment costs by fluoridating public water supplies. Needless to say, fluoridation in water on base is a great asset to increase the prevention of cavities among the base community.
Here are some ways to reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay:
-Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals to help neutralize acid produced by bacterial plaque and rinse food particles from the mouth.
-Monitor beverage consumption. Instead of soft drinks all day, children should also choose water and low-fat milk.
-Limit between-meal snacks. If kids crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods, such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, smoothies made with natural ingredients, etc.
-If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.
-Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.
- Schedule regular dental visits.