The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Oral-B and television personality and author, Joan Lunden, are joining together throughout the month of February for Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of children’s oral health and to remind parents to teach healthy oral care habits.
An often overlooked aspect of children’s health, oral health problems continue to be a problem with almost 20 percent of children ages 2-3 having at least one untreated cavity and more than 50 percent of children developing some form of gingivitis.
“Oral health problems are preventable, and that’s why the AAP recently added oral health to its top priorities. Instilling proper oral care in a child at an early age can help prevent problems with growth, learning, speech and eating,” states pediatrician, David Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP (Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics). “The pediatrician’s office is an ideal place for new moms to learn about oral health and get recommendations for creating a dental routine for their children.”
Joan Lunden, a mother of seven children (including two sets of twins under 4-years old), has made creating a dental routine a priority for her kids. “Our children depend on us to help them form the good habits that will guide them into a healthy adulthood,” says Lunden. “There is so much that we can do to help our children get off to the right start so that they can have a lifetime of good dental health. Choosing the right oral care products that are designed especially for kids, such as Oral-B Stages, is an important first step to a healthy smile.”