Protecting kids’ teeth

Did you know that in the United States most children have one or more decayed teeth by the time they are 3 years old? Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic children’s disease—five times more common than asthma? And, “children as young as 18 months can have a mouth full of decayed teeth that requires hospital dental surgery.” Such startling news comes from a recent press release from the Butte County Public Health Department (BCPH) announcing that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Fittingly, BCPH offers a number of ways to promote good oral hygiene in kids, including:

• Clean a baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth: “After every feeding, gently wipe the baby’s gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad. This establishes at an early age the importance of oral hygiene and the feel of having clean teeth and gums.”

• Brush baby teeth with a soft infant toothbrush and water.

• Avoid giving children sodas and sports drinks, which contain a lot of sugar.

See www.tinyurl.com/bjuhzft for more tips.