National Children’s Dental Health Month

Author: Dr. Alison Vitelli, DMD

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, as developed by the American Dental Association (ADA). We, at Spring Lake Dental Group, want to provide you with some information that will allow you to take better care of your child’s dental health. Caring for oral health begins as early as birth, and it gets modified as the little ones grow.  Given all the changes children go through during their younger years, it is of extreme importance that they are being seen on a regular basis to monitor and address any issues that may arise, as well as to receive preventive care. During these visits, we evaluate, diagnose and treat the presence of tooth decay, growth and development, dental habits, dental trauma and oral hygiene, and provide treatment according to their current needs.  Habits, such as pacifier, nail biting, thumb sucking, among others, can cause abnormal positioning of the teeth and shaping of the jaw, as well as how top and bottom arches of teeth relate to each other.  Inadequate oral hygiene and improper diet habits lead to increased risk of caries (cavities), halitosis (bad breath), and even fungal infection in infants. These are just a few of the many things we evaluate with every one of our pediatric patients.  Every child is unique and we strive to provide you with the appropriate information and best care for your family.