February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDM), providing an opportunity to promote oral health and hygiene with pediatric patients and their parents. It is a good time to raise awareness about the importance of oral health during a child’s early years, educate patients and parents on good oral hygiene practices, and highlight the role routine dental care plays in improving both oral and overall health.
Sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), NCDM is a month-long national health observance that provides children, caregivers, parents, and more with resources and information on the benefits of practicing good oral health. Pediatric oral health is important for several reasons. In addition to preventing tooth decay, routine dental checkups, preventative care, and good daily oral hygiene can:
At Dental Depot, we know it takes teamwork to keep your child’s teeth and mouth healthy, which is why we work with parents, guardians, and caregivers to provide comprehensive, common sense dental care services that fit both your budget and your busy lifestyle, ensuring your child receives the care he or she deserves when it’s needed the most. We also make sure you have the resources, support, and judgment-free guidance you need to help your child succeed in establishing healthy oral hygiene habits because, at Dental Depot, your family is our family.
Good oral health is essential to your child’s overall health and development. Healthy baby teeth not only support proper chewing, biting, speech, and breathing but also play a key role in jaw and facial structure development. While baby teeth may begin falling out around age 5 or 6–continuing until around age 12 or so–delaying or ignoring dental problems during these early years can have a lasting ripple effect on your child’s health and confidence. Untreated cavities and decay can lead to infection, gum disease, and tooth loss, which can disrupt the alignment and eruption of adult teeth, affecting your child’s long-term dental health.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease, with nearly 60% of 12- to 19-year-olds experiencing at least one cavity. The impact is even greater among underserved populations, where 25% of children account for 80% of dental disease. Beyond the physical discomfort, dental issues can lead to missed school days, developmental challenges, and diminished self-confidence. Encouraging your child to adopt good dental hygiene habits early, through creativity and consistency, is a powerful investment in their health. Regular dental visits, combined with a healthy diet and daily brushing and flossing, set the foundation for a lifetime of strong smiles and overall well-being.
Your child’s first baby teeth will probably start to erupt around six months of age. By the time a child is between two and a half or three, most will have all 20 baby teeth.
Looking for some tips on teething? We’ve got you, moms and dads.
We’ve also got plenty of information on how to take care of those baby teeth once they come in.
Baby teeth start falling out to make room for permanent teeth at around age 6 or 7, although this can be earlier or later for some children. Baby teeth will not start to wiggle or loosen until an adult tooth is behind it and ready to come in.
Kids will continue to lose teeth over theseveral years, with the final ones–the second molars–falling out around age 12. Most kids have all 32 of their permanent teeth around age 13.
Here’s more on the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth.
The American Dental Association recommends children visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting or by their first birthday. Even if it’s too early for a cleaning, these initial visits allow your child to become familiar with the dental environment, easing future anxiety.
At around age 3, most kids have enough teeth for a quick, gentle professional cleaning from a dental hygienist, and they’ll be ready for their first x-rays around age 5.
Infants and toddlers should visit the dentist every six months, even if they don’t have many teeth yet, to:
During these visits, or at their annual pediatrician checkup, infants and toddlers may also receive fluoride treatments to help protect their teeth from decay.
Older children should visit the dentist every six months to:
As molars erupt, older children may benefit from dental sealants. These sealants protect the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of molars, which are hard to clean and prone to decay, helping prevent cavities and maintain oral health.
Dental visits are also a great time for you (and your child) to ask the dentist your most pressing questions about oral health and hygiene.
From the appearance of the first baby tooth to the eruption of the last adult tooth, routine and preventative dental care is the foundation for your child’s long-term oral health, and preventative care services are typically covered at 100% by almost all of the major insurances Dental Depot accepts, as well as our dental membership plans.
Twice-yearly checkups and cleanings. These ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are remaining healthy and developing properly. They also give your dentist a chance to check for potential issues, provide guidance on oral hygiene, and educate parents.
Treatments like fluoride applications and dental sealants. Fluoride and dental sealants help protect your child’s teeth against decay, especially as molars begin to erupt. Sealants can help reduce the risk of cavities by 80%, while fluoride can help strengthen developing enamel.
A daily oral hygiene routine. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash are the best ways to keep your child’s teeth healthy and stave off cavities. If it’s difficult to get your child to brush for 2 minutes twice a day, try to make it fun by:
Here are some more tips on building those healthy habits at every age.
A healthy diet, including limiting sweets and sugary foods. Kids are at a higher risk of cavities because their primary teeth have more porous enamel, making them more vulnerable to the acid produced by sugar-feeding bacteria. Combined with deep grooves in erupting molars that trap sugars, less-developed oral hygiene habits, and diets high in starches and sugar, children’s teeth are particularly susceptible to decay and cavities.
Preparing for the future. An orthodontic consultation at around age 7 can help you and your dental care team get ahead of any potential problems that could occur as the result of things like misalignment or malocclusions. An appointment at this age doesn’t mean your child will get orthodontic treatment, but it does provide a baseline for developing the best treatment plan possible going forward.
Nearly half of all children will experience a dental injury during childhood. While these injuries are most common among toddlers and school-aged kids, older children are not immune and may also require treatment. Although dental injuries are rarely life-threatening, they can significantly impact your child’s appearance, oral health, and self-confidence. That’s why it’s essential to seek timely and appropriate treatment to protect their smile and overall well-being.
Here are some of the most common pediatric dental injuries and how to handle them.
The best ways to protect and preserve your child’s dental health–both in February during National Children’s Dental Health Month and for a lifetime–are to stay involved in their care and stay ahead of potential problems with routine exams and preventative treatments. With locations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Missouri, Dental Depot is proud to be your family’s partner for educational resources, trusted product recommendations, and comprehensive dental care services that make sense. From a toddler’s first toddler visits to orthodontics for teens and routine care for adults, Dental Depot is here to help everyone in your family achieve their best oral health.
