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PINAL COUNTY– Poor oral health takes a bite out of learning every time a child misses school due to dental-related illnesses. More than 51 million school hours are lost each year because of it.
“Parents and caregivers play a large role in preventing tooth decay and the early years are the most crucial,” said Dr. Karen Peifer, First Things First Senior Director for Children’s Health. “Undetected and untreated tooth decay can interrupt speech development, as well as lead to problems in eating, speaking and attention to learning.”
By age 4, it is estimated that more than half of Arizona’s young children have experienced dental decay. And about one-third of Arizona’s 4 year olds have never even seen a dentist.
First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. The organization is doing its part to help make families aware of the importance of oral health for young children in a number of ways, including locally, supporting Sun Life Family Health Center and its endeavor of educating families and other caregivers on the importance of caring for gums and teeth starting at birth.
First Things First and Sun Life have teamed up to provide a mobile dental unit to reach children all throughout Pinal County with the early oral health care they need. With more than 2,500 oral health screenings and fluoride varnishes administered in 2014, the mobile team from Sun Life is helping ensure our young children arrive at school healthy and ready to succeed.
Early care for a child’s teeth will promote their health and learning for years to come. Here’s how families can keep their kids smiling and learning:
• Prevent decay by not putting the baby to bed with a bottle. Have babies finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to sleep.
• For bottle feedings, use only formula, milk or breast milk inside and avoid using sugary beverages such as juice or soda.
• Take your child to the dentist around their first birthday, or soon after the first tooth appears.
• As soon as the first tooth appears, begin cleaning by wiping with a clean, damp cloth every day. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush.
• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day until your child has the skill to handle the toothbrush alone and is able to spit out the toothpaste and rinse well.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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