Dental clinic keeps kids' smiles bright

  • Published
  • By Airman Alexis Grotz
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Open wide.

These words are often said at the dentist. For some younger children it can be scary to sit in a chair while a strange adult stands there with crazy-looking tools.

Parents and children learned about the importance of proper dental hygiene in February during Children's Dental Health Month. Because baby teeth are just place holders for adult teeth, proper care affects the growth and development of adult teeth in the long run.

Dentists agree that annual cleaning and dental checkups are important, noting several things they check during exams. Common problems may include tooth decay, dark spots and chips or cracks.

"The initial visit for a child at the dentist is first tooth, or when they are 6 months old," said Capt. (Dr.) Sean McCauley, 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron dentist.

Dental hygienist Cindy Allen works hand in hand with McCauley.

"Children should brush at least two times a day. The children at the day care brush three times, which is great, but two times is good," says Allen. "I think the most important thing about proper dental hygiene for children is that their parents need to help them brush while they are young."

According to McCauley, at just 6 months parents should brush a child's teeth. It doesn't matter whether their teeth are being brushed with a warm wash cloth or with a soft-bristle tooth brush. However, he warns against the use of fluoride toothpaste until the toddler stage.

"Keep a consistency with them on brushing their teeth," said McCauley. "Letting them see you doing it will help to make them want to brush their teeth."

McCauley offers oral health tips for all ages: floss twice a day, brush twice a day in a circular motion, avoid sugary food, sodas, and make appointments regularly.

A few helpful hints to get young children to want to brush their teeth are: make a game of it, buy fun tooth brushes, or let them think it's a treat to brush their teeth rather than a chore.

"Parents need to know that proper dental starts a lot earlier than they think with children," said McCauley.

According to McCauley young children are curious about the tools.

Although kids are not seen by the dental clinic on Moody, McCauley has previously worked with children in his career and recommends establishing a good rapport.

McCauley says, "You just ask them what they like, whether it is sports or video games. Show them what tools you have like the little mirrors and stuff, just be honest with them."

Children's Dental Health Month helped to show the proper way to care for a child's teeth, as well as, some important facts on how to keep their smiles' bright.