RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase last year in the number of children who had tooth decay, so the Randolph Dental Clinic is doing all it can to make sure children know the importance of taking care of their teeth.
Throughout February, the base dental clinic will promote Children's Dental Health Month with the slogan "Attack plaque! Eat healthy, brush and floss daily!" The program promotes good oral health and hygiene for base children.
Staff Sgt. Ruby Castaneda, 12th Medical Group Dental Clinic non-commissioned officer in charge, preventive dentistry, said it is important for children to pick up good dental habits at an early age so they can have healthy, disease-resistant teeth for life.
"We want to teach children at a young age the importance of taking care of their teeth," Sergeant Castaneda said. "We want to teach them the reasons they should take care of their teeth. If we can get children to take care of their teeth, it can help prevent cavities and gum disease."
In a study issued in 2007, the CDC said that tooth decay in infants and preschoolers ages 2 to 5 increased by 15 percent from 1999-2004.
According to the CDC, while tooth decay is preventable, it is still the most common chronic disease of children ages 5 to 17, five times more common than asthma.
Children are not the only ones who will be getting the message about the importance of dental hygiene. Bi-monthly through the Bundles for Babies program, various dental technicians talk to pregnant women about their own oral hygiene to decrease their chances of periodontal (gum) disease, which has been correlated to pre-mature birth and low birth weight. Tips are also given to parents on how to take care of their baby's teeth and gums after birth.
On Feb. 7, 12th MDG Dental Clinic staff talked to 3-and 4-year-olds at the base Child Development Center.
"We wanted to make the experience fun for the children and expose them to the environment of being in a dental clinic, so we wore our scrubs," Sergeant Castaneda said.
Children's Dental Month activities continue on base with groups of Randolph Elementary School third-graders touring the dental clinic Feb. 19-20. The clinic is conducting the tours as a way to familiarize schoolchildren with dentists and their surroundings. Dental clinic staff will visit the elementary school Feb. 21-22 to give presentations and demonstrations on the correct ways to take care of teeth.
On Feb. 27 Sergeant Castaneda will read a dental-related storybook to children at the base library from 10-11 a.m. The event will include dental-related arts-and-craft projects to work on.
Sergeant Castaneda said children and adults who brush their teeth properly and have them checked regularly have whiter and stronger teeth, making for a nicer smile and better breath.
If parents do not take care of their children's teeth, the consequences will be bad for the child's health, Sergeant Castaneda said.
"By not taking care of your teeth, it can affect the rest of the body," she said. "If you get gum disease, it could cause a chronic infection that can harm you and spread to the rest of the body."
Sergeant Castaneda said children are prone to have cavities because they do not know how or have the capability to properly brush their teeth on their own.
"Parents should supervise their children when they brush their teeth until about the age of 7 because children don't have the dexterity to do it correctly until about this age," she said. "Even children older than this should have parents check over their work to make sure they have done a good job."
The proper way for children and adults to brush their teeth is to hold their toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. People should then make sure to brush all surfaces of the teeth, both top and bottom, for two minutes, Sergeant Castaneda said. The sergeant said it is important that the tongue be cleaned as well because it holds a lot of bacteria; going up and down with the toothbrush can clean the tongue.
Sergeant Castaneda said children can start flossing after or around the age of 7. Parents should teach their children how to floss properly, or get instructions from a dentist.
Parents should take their children to a dentist regularly, the sergeant said.
"When a child gets their first tooth, or at the age of 1 year old, parents should take them to a dentist to familiarize the child with the dentist and ensure the child is cavity free," she said. "By age 2 children should be going to a dentist from one to two times a year."
For babies who do not have their first tooth yet, Sergeant Castaneda said parents should clean their gums with a wet cloth to prevent infection or inflammation.
Proper nutrition is another way to ensure that children have healthy teeth. Sergeant Castaneda said children should eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of wate, stay away from foods with sugar, such as candy, soda and juice - including sweet, sticky "healthy" foods such as raisins - as much as possible because sugar can eat away at the tooth.
For more details, contact the dental clinic at 652-1846.