Dental care makes a big difference

I appreciated your Nov. 18 article, “Dental care now urged for very young kids.” I agree on the importance of good oral health. Kids whose mouths are hurting don’t do well in school and may suffer from other health problems. Parents often don’t realize just how important teeth are to their child’s overall health and well-being.

As a public health nurse, I worked in health screening of children in day-care facilities. At times, children were referred for dental evaluation, which led to subsequent surgery because of inadequate dental care when they were young. Parents need to know the importance of good dental care for their young children. This includes not allowing a toddler to carry a bottle of milk or juice around or putting them to sleep with it because this can lead to tooth decay. Cleaning an infant’s gums every day with a clean, damp cloth is an excellent practice.

My granddaughter especially likes her mom to clean her gums and teeth with the rubber finger-tip brush and a small amount of “baby” toothpaste! And, at less than 2 years old, she looks forward to brushing her teeth with her small, soft toothbrush. It is wonderful to have articles such as yours telling parents that they need to think about their kids’ teeth much earlier, and providing tips on how to take care of their children’s teeth. We should take whatever steps we can to prevent oral disease among children. The health of children should be a high priority.

Everett