February is dental health month and the focus is on teaching children how to take care of their teeth. In an effort to do this Caren Barnes, coordinator of the Cruzan Center for Dental Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, located in Lincoln, invites media to a tooth brushing demonstration Wednesday, February 15 at 10 a.m. with the help of Mandie, Barnes’ 38-year-old buffalo. The demonstration will be at Barnes’ ranch, which is located just outside of Lincoln.
Barnes will also provide tips for parents on how to get their children to brush and floss their teeth, when to make that first appointment with the dentist and the importance of maintaining a healthy smile.
"It is so important for parents to take their children to the dentist at a very early age, somewhere between one and two, unless the child has a problem that should be taken care of immediately," Barnes said. "It is also very important for parents to begin cleaning their baby’s first teeth as soon as they erupt. This can be done with a moist washcloth or baby toothbrush."
Barnes also advises parents to wait until the child is two-years-old before using fluoridated toothpaste, but warns that only a small amount is needed because children at this age will usually swallow the toothpaste.
"If a small child swallows a large amount of fluoridated toothpaste it could result in acute fluoride toxicity," she said.
The oral cavity is an important part of the body, Barnes said. Research evidence suggests a link between dental disease and systemic disease and other health problems such as coronary heart disease. Early, regular dental examinations, cleanings and fluoride treatments can set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health.
"When good cleaning habits are established at a very young age, the child will accept it as a part of their normal routine," she said.
Barnes also provided the following tips for parents.
- Children should begin seeing the dentist between the ages of one and two.
- From ages 3-5 children only need a pea-size amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth.
- Parents should assist with their child’s brushing until approximately age 7.
- Once the child begins brushing on his/her own, parents should check for thoroughness after the child is finished.
- Parents should floss their children’s teeth for them until the age of 9.
Coincidentally, February is also National Pet Dental Health Month, said Barnes, who also houses American Quarter horses, Texas Longhorns and a variety of chickens at her ranch. "Mandie, by the way, weighs 850 pounds and loves children," she said.