References

Barker, J. (2012). Oral Health: The MouthBody Connection. Retrieved from

www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oralhealth-the-mouth-body-connection

Source: www.istockphoto.com

Why Start Now, My Kids

Are Going to Lose Their
Baby Teeth Anyway?
There exists a common
misconception that the health of
baby teeth is unimportant. Baby
teeth are essential in helping
your child develop the skills of
chewing and speaking. They also
hold a space for the permanent
teeth. In addition, habits formed
while baby teeth are still in have
an impact. "Parents help define
oral health practices early in
their child's life and also
determine when to establish
regular dental care" (Isong et. al.,
2012).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(2011). Oral Health: Preventing Cavaties,
Gum Disease, Tooth Loss, and Oral Cancers
At A Glance 2011. Retrieved from
www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/
publications/aag/doh.htm
Michigan Department of Community
Health. (2014). Seal! Michigan Program.
Retrieved from www.michigan.gov/
oralhealth
Isong, I. A., Luff, D., Perrin, J. M.,
Winickoff, J. P., & Ng, M. W. (2012).
Parental Perspectives of Early Childhood
Caries. Clinical Pediatrics, 51 (1), 77-85.

Brochure Produced By:

Lindsay Vasquez RN CCRN
Elk Rapids, MI
lindsayvasquez.weebly.com

ABC

S
OF
Oral Health
-A Guide for
Parents on the
Importance of
Keeping Those
Pearly Whites
Healthy Into
Adulthood

Why Is Oral Hygiene So

Important?
Oral health and hygiene is integral to
optimum health in persons of any
age. Oral health affects everyday life
and can be extremely detrimental
when disease exists. Examples of
disease include tooth decay
(cavities), peridontal (gum) disease,
oral cancers, and tooth loss. Oral
health problems are no small issue!
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC),
"Tooth decay affects more than onefourth of U.S. children aged 2-5 years
and half of those aged 12-15
years" (2011). The health of your
mouth matters; it can contribute to
the development of immune system
compromise, diabetes, heart disease,
and osteoporosis to name a few.
(Barker, 2012).

Why Should I Be Worried

About How Much Flouride
Is In My Water?
Flouride is an element that is found
in or added to drinking water in
most towns in this country. "Flouride
prevents tooth decay, and the most
cost-effective way to deliver the
benefits of flouride to all residents of
a community is through water
flouridation-that is, adjusting the
flouride in the public water supply to
the appropriate level for decay
prevention" (CDC, 2011). It is easy to
find out if your community practices
water flouridation: visit the website
apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/index.asp.
Simply type in your demographics
and you will have facts on your
water's flouride content.

What Do I Do If I Can't
Afford To Take My Child
To The Dentist?
Michigan is one of the fortunate 21
states that received funding from the
CDC to strengthen oral health
programs. These measures
Source: www.bimcbali.com

are aimed at making sure every

citizen receives equal dental care.
To take advantage of these
initiatives, visit michigan.gov/
oralhealth. This will allow you to
find a public health dentist or
community dental program in
your community that offers
dental care at little or no cost.

What Are Sealants And

How Do I Get Them For
My Child?
Sealants are a plastic material
that coats the natural pits and
grooves of the teeth. They prevent
tooth decay by creating a barrier
between harmful bacteria and
your child's teeth. To catch pace
with the rest of the nation,
Michigan, with the financial
backing of the CDC, initiated the
SEAL! Michigan Dental Sealant
Program. Sealants are offered in
Michigan schools free of cost to the
students and their parents. For
more information go to
michigan.gov/oralhealth.