It’s that time of year again: Children’s Dental Health Month. Did you know that even if your child still has a mouth full of baby teeth, their oral health is still vitally important? That’s because dental caries (cavities) are the number one most common childhood illness in the United States, causing missed school days, pain, and even low self-esteem in affected children.This year’s Children’s Dental Health theme is “Sealants Make Sense.” Dental sealants are a coating placed on childrens’ adult teeth to help protect them against cavities. In fact, did you know that a sealant can reduce the instance of cavities by up to 80 percent?In addition to getting sealants on individual teeth as recommended by Dr. Peterson, there are some things you can do to help usher in a lifetime of excellent oral health in your children.Be ConsistentHaving a consistent brushing station, toothbrush, toothpaste, brushing time, and brushing routine are all ways to teach your child to make brushing their teeth part of their everyday life. While you may need to be the one to brush your child’s teeth at first, and you may need to supervise their brushing beyond that, teaching a consistent routine will help them establish healthy habits.Use The Right materialsWhen your child is a baby, it’s important to wipe down gums following each feeding. Use a soft cloth and explain to your baby what you are doing as you do it. As teeth erupt, use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub baby teeth, and as children age gradually increase the hardness of their brush bristles to the strength recommended by Dr. Peterson.Visit The Dentist RegularlyDo you know the correct age for beginning dental appointments for your child? It may be younger than you think. Children should be seen by a dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts - which is generally before their first birthday! This gets children comfortable with being seen and evaluated by a dentist and allows Dr. Peterson to keep his eye on the healthy development of your child’s teeth.As you see, it’s easy to care for your child’s teeth! Using sealants can be beneficial in aiding against cavities, and oral health should be a team effort between you, your child, and Dr. Peterson.If you are ready to schedule an appointment for anyone in your family, please contact Dr. Peterson’s office today!