Good dental health needs to start early - probably earlier than most parents think. Doctors now say early screening is essential for a child's overall health.
With the help of the Washington Dental Service Foundation, more young children and pediatricians are getting early start building healthy teeth and gums.
Good dental health needs to start early - probably earlier than most parents think. Doctors now say early screening is essential for a child's overall health.
With the help of the Washington Dental Health Foundation, more young children and pediatricians are getting an early start building healthy teeth and gums.
Good oral health needs to begin early. It’s something dentists have always said, and now, more pediatricians are too.
Group Health Pediatrician Dr. David Grossman says what's happening for early childhood oral health in the state of Washington is quite unique.
“Primary care doctors and dentists are coming together to offer children some kind of wrap around care for oral health in early childhood," said Grossman.
An area where Grossman says in the past, there was a gap in care for children - a gap many say Washington cannot afford.
According to the Washington Dental Service Foundation, 4 in 10 low income preschoolers have tooth decay. And when their teeth hurt, early education suffers.
“It’s hard for children to learn when they have tooth problems,” said one dentist.
That's why this dentist visits area preschools and this Highline Headstart program includes lessons for children on good oral health. But it has to start even earlier - during pregnancy.
“A mom needs to take care of her oral health when she's pregnant because cavities are diseases that can be passed along to her child as their teeth begin forming,” said Grossman.
Pediatricians should be the first ones to check for good oral health in infants and children should see a dentist by age three.
No, it’s not always fun, but neither are toothaches and cavities. Good health is worth a few tears.
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