We just got the "reminder! You are due for a check-up!" in the mail from Kiddo's dentist. Yes, it always slips my mind. She gets there, of course, but it isn't like I'm totally on top of it, sometimes it is every seven months, instead of six...I need to get better about it.
You know, as far dental care goes, not a huge amount has changed. It isn't like they came out saying we should use boomerang shaped bristles or anything. Sure, lots of improvements have come along with rinses and flossers and all of the stuff we need is eons better than it used to be, but the fact remains that we need to get our kids to brush and floss twice a day - just like they recommended when we were kids.
And, again, the one that I'm a little lax on: we need to get our kids to the dentist. According to this report, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 20% of kids aged 5-11 have untreated cavities. That's a lot, folks. And though we all may say, well, those are baby teeth, it still matters. Another article I was reading lately points out that though the teeth may fall out, infections in those teeth can hurt our kids permanent teeth - as well as lead to serious health conditions in the rest of their bodies.
Again, all signs point to the basics of healthy tooth habits, but especially getting out kids to the dentist for regular check-ups.
Do your kids have cavities? When was your first cavity?
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My first was when I was 18. DS hasn't ever been to a dentist yet. He's only 4.
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- HeatherNYC
on Jun. 12, 2012 at 12:00 AM