Washington State’s recently released comprehensive new guidelines on childhood development reinforce that good oral health is an integral part of a child’s overall health and development.
The Early Learning and Development Guidelines are an easy-to-use resource for parents and caregivers that describe key milestones for children from birth through third grade and ways to support healthy development.
The new guidelines are full of tips and strategies to help parents protect their children’s oral health, including swabbing a newborn’s gums, taking a child to the dentist by one year of age, flossing and cooperative tooth-brushing during the toddler years.
The guidelines highlight the connection between oral health and social, cognitive and academic development. . Untreated dental disease can cause intense pain that affects a child’s ability to pay attention, sit still in class and get enough sleep.
Child with dental disease can also:
- Struggle to form words correctly because of damaged or missing teeth.
- Withdraw from social situations negatively affecting their social and emotional development.
- Fail to get proper nutrition because it is painful to chew and swallow.
- Develop ear infections, sinus infections and abscesses that are expensive to treat.
- Miss more school than other students.
Unfortunately, nearly 40 percent of children in Washington begin kindergarten having experienced tooth decay. In 2010, Medicaid spent more than $87 million treating Washington children for dental disease.
The good news is that dental decay is preventable. The new Early Learning and Development Guidelines are a great place for families and caregivers to learn how to protect children’s oral health starting at birth. Early intervention helps to ensure that children have a lifetime of good oral health. Check out all the tips and advice in the guidelines under the Health Kids – Healthy Communities.
Further Reading:
Oral Health Impacts School Readiness, OralHealthWatch.org.
Oral Health Watch
7 hours ago
Family schedules tend to be less structured as routines shift away from fixed wake-up times, school, and homework requirements. But don't forget to ensure ample time to maintain a good oral health routine. This includes regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing and hydrating with ...water (fluoridated is best) instead of sugary drinks. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
20 hours ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Thank you, Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington, Seattle Children's, and caring volunteer providers for making the SmileMobile possible. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
💯 Arcora Foundation. Oral health care needs don't go away just because coverage does. The estimated 250,000 Washingtonians in need of dental care to either pay out of pocket, delay preventive care and/or forego necessary dental treatment, leading to:
🤒 Needless pain and suffering
... 💵 Burdening patients with costly care
🏥 Straining hospital emergency departments and our health care system
💪 Compromising individual and community health
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Is it important for both parents and kids to have access to preventive oral health care? 💯 Parents who model good oral health habits make it more likely for children to adopt these practices from a young age. This proactive approach can help prevent future dental problems, missed school days due... to pain, and potential long-term health issues. #teethmatter