• By Deborah Massenburg
• Posted Tuesday, August 20, 2019

It's Time To Visit The Dentist!

Children with their “little white choppers” are filling the hallways of our schools. To help your child arrive to school ready to learn, it is not too late to schedule an appointment with your dentist. According to the Center for Disease Control, untreated tooth decay remains the number one chronic disease among children 5 -17 years of age. Yet, it can be easily prevented by incorporating a few healthy habits.

A healthy diet that limits sugar is one change that will make a huge impact in reducing your child's risk for tooth decay. Daily brushing and flossing should be a family routine. Brushing in the morning before going to school and before bedtime are important steps to reducing the germs in the mouth that are needed to create a cavity. When buying toothpaste always choose a fluoride toothpaste with a ADA seal of approval. Fluoride strengthens enamel, the outer layer of the tooth, and helps to defend the tooth from tooth decay. No healthy dental regime is complete without including regular dental visits for exams, x-rays, professional dental cleaning, and addressing any restorative needs. Remember to ask your dentist about dental sealants, a plastic coating that protect the services of teeth you cannot reach with your toothbrush or floss.

Remember, children are unable to perform at their best when distracted by pain associated to tooth decay. Taking care of your child's teeth before problems occur is the best approach to having healthy teeth that can last a lifetime.

Please call (336)703-3204 if you need assistance with community resources. Our public health dental hygienists with the Preventive Dental Health Program are ready to help you gain access to available dental resources in our community. Call Cleveland Avenue Dental Center at (336)703-3090 to schedule an appointment. Medicaid, Health Choice, Ameritas Dental Insurance and cash payments are accepted.