Parents aren't monitoring kids brushing

Source The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry via PR NEWSWIRE Forums Health, Safety, Nutrition and Kids Related Articles Children Without Cavities: A Growing Trend Number Of Children Without Cavities Doubles In Two Decades Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Information and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content.

Thought you would like information from a national study on kid's brushing and oral health care.  Be sure to read the part about dental check-ups for kids when they get their first tooth.  I liken this visit to the "well-baby check-up" only it is with the dentist and it will be a "well-tooth checkup" .  It gives the parents an opportunity to get current information on the care of the teeth and make sure everything is progressing on schedule.  Don't worry about having the baby placed in the dental chair and examined.  That won't happen because this visit is more for information than actual examination.  Outdated recommendation was to wait until the child was about 3 years old and sometimes that was too late.  Children often had cavities by that time.   comments by Latsa Lady BELMONT, Calif., Feb. 3, 1997 -- A national study just released by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and Oral-B Laboratories reveals parents aren't following the experts' advice regarding their children's dental care, and are mostly unaware of the specific "ages and stages" in a child's oral care development. The "Oral-B & AAPD Check-Up on Children's Oral Care" national study found parents aren't paying enough attention to their kids brushing and flossing routine -- which can do more to eliminate cavities than cutting back on candy. The study also found the dental care issues parents think are most important aren't necessarily the ones they should be most concerned about. Although moms and dads claim to have plenty of information, as well as an understanding of brushing basics, actual behaviors prove otherwise. Following are survey excerpts: Children aren't getting to the dentist as early as they should. The average age of a first dental visit is 4; however, the AAPD recommends children see a dentist when the first baby tooth emerges -- usually between the ages of 6 months and 1 year. This first visit is critical so parents can learn appropriate steps to assist in maintaining their child's oral health. Children, especially those under age 4, need a different brushing technique than adults -- one that's simpler to follow and accommodates their limited dexterity. The "scrub" technique is recommended, in which all surfaces of the teeth are cleaned by using a small, circular scrubbing motion with the bristles of the toothbrush. Nearly half of the parents studied were unaware of the recommended oral care guidelines for infants: Clean child's mouth with a gauze pad or infant washcloth after feedings and before bedtime. The majority of parents allow their children to use more than the recommended pea-sized amount of toothpaste, which increases the amount swallowed. For children ages 6 and under, ingested toothpaste may lead to fluorosis, which manifests as small, white flecks on the teeth. Some 26 percent of parents only change their child's toothbrush 1-2 times per year, even though the AAPD suggests toothbrushes be changed every 3-4 months for optimal brushing, and especially during cold and flu season to avoid the transmission of germs. Contrary to AAPD recommendations, nearly one-third of parents allow their children between the ages of 0-8 to brush without supervision. A good rule of thumb is if children can completely dress themselves, including tying their shoes without any assistance, then they can brush on their own. Children shouldn't be allowed to floss unsupervised until the age of 10, as flossing is a much more difficult task to master than brushing. One in three children are not brushing their teeth before bed. Children should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day, with the optimal times being before bed and after breakfast. Despite the AAPD's recommendations, parents surveyed report that only 67 percent of children brush before bed and a mere 57 percent brush after breakfast.