The month of February brought awareness to the practice of oral hygiene. 

Dallas County Health Navigation Coordinator Ann Cochran says that the whole month of February was dedicated to promoting children’s dental health. Cochran says that children and also adults need to be making regular stops to their dentist every six months. 

“Some people ask why every six months. Because in that short of a span, an area of plaque on a tooth can begin to turn into a cavity. And, as with many things, including problems in your home, fixing a problem early is much better than waiting until the problem gets worse.”

Cochran says that children as young as two-years-old should have an assessment of their teeth as a part of their well child checkups. 

“In this exam by their pediatrician. You don’t necessarily have to take them to the dentist. The pediatrician can look at how the teeth are coming in and whether there are any concerns about the mouth that could impact the little one’s good nutrition, their ability to chew, or their speech development.”

Children’s Dental Health Month is a national health observance that brings together dedicated professionals, healthcare providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and their caregivers.