FEBRUARY is celebrated as National Children’s Dental Month and Jamaica Cosmetic Dental Service (JCDS) is aiming to raise awareness about the importance of oral health in children.

On February 28, the team, which is led by Dr Anissa Holmes and Dr Keisha Smith-Pagan, is expected to offer free dental cleanings and sealants to 100 children from underserved and underprivileged communities through a community outreach.

The JCDS said children must be registered for this event.

“We (also) invite children between four and 12 years of age across Jamaica to enter our “Defeat Monster Mouth” Colouring Page Competition,” said JCDS office manager Melissa Whyte, while inviting parents to visit their website at visit our website at www.jamaicasmiles.com. “Through this campaign, we will reinforce that plaque “monsters” must be removed by effective toothbrushing for good oral health.

She said one child will be selected to win an Ipad mini.

The keys to promoting good oral health at home, according to JCDS, are to have a tooth-friendly diet and encourage good oral hygiene practices.

Tips to promoting good oral health at home

1. Sugar-added and high sugar-content foods and drinks/juices should be consumed at mealtimes and not as snacks. This is because saliva flow increases during meals and saliva helps to rinse food particles away, and neutralise the acids from cavity-causing bacteria found in plaque.

2. Limit between-meal snacks. If kids eat a lot of snacks, they are unlikely to eat at mealtimes. But if offering a snack, give something nutritious, like a fruit.

3. Monitor drink/juice consumption. Between meals, offer water or low-fat milk.

4. Develop good brushing and flossing practices: Brush at least two times daily. The nighttime brush is the most important and should be done right before bedtime. Brush all the surfaces of all the teeth to remove plaque. Flossing should be instituted once the teeth touch each other.

5. Schedule regular dental visits so that the dentist can monitor your child’s dental development and intervene early where necessary.

“The American Dental Association advocates for the first dental visit to occur within six months of the appearance of the first tooth and no later than the child’s first birthday,” Whyte shared. “Healthy teeth and a healthy smile are important for a child’s self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits, your child’s teeth can remain healthy and strong.”