FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2004) – While everyone loves a great smile, lately the emphasis has been on many Kentuckians’ inability to have just that because of poor dental health.  And, it’s true that Kentucky leads the nation in the number of adults over 65 years of age who have no teeth remaining.

A couple of the reasons cited for this alarming statistic are lack of dental insurance and access to dental health care for people with low or limited incomes.  “The underlying reality is that Kentucky’s population, particularly the poor part of the population, is really ill,” according to Dr. Jim Cecil, administrator of the state’s Oral Health Program.

           Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s a good time to provide information to parents so their children will not be faced with pain from untreated dental disease.  Getting children off to a good start helps a child have the best possible dental health.

           Parents play a critical role in making sure their children keep their smile for a lifetime.   Here are some tips for parents that ensure a child develops good dental hygiene habits: 

ü      Clean babies’ mouths at least once a day with a wet cloth. Wash inside the lips, cheeks, and around the tongue, the roof of the mouth and upper and lower gums. 

ü      Start brushing teeth when the first baby tooth breaks through the gums in the baby’s mouth.

ü      Use a “pea” size blob of toothpaste in children. 

ü      Schedule a dental visit for children by one year of age. 

ü      Encourage children to eat a balanced diet and to brush and floss their teeth daily.

ü      Limit snacks high in sugar content.

ü      Schedule regular dental check-ups. 

ü      Remind children and teens to wear mouthguards when they participate in sports to prevent dental injuries and loss of teeth.

           In addition, local health departments offer services to children that prevent cavities.  For example, parents can take their children, beginning with baby’s first tooth through age 5, to the local health department where trained health professionals screen and place fluoride varnish directly on the teeth.  “This is a safe, fast and easy way to prevent tooth decay and it saves money on dental bills,” says Cecil.

            Once children have permanent molars, sealants can be applied to reduce dental decay.  Additionally, water fluoride tests and fluoride supplements are provided, at no charge, for children who do not have access to optimally fluoridated water.  For additional information contact your local health department or the Kentucky Oral Health Program at 502-564-3246.

           To find out more about how to protect your child’s smile – one of the best Valentine’s gifts of all – visit http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp, http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/topics/child.htm, or http://chs.ky.gov/publichealth/dental.htm.

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