Base dentists plan events to support National Children’s Dental Health Month Published Feb. 6, 2009 By Capt. (Dr.) Stacey Zaikoski 436th Dental Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- February is National Children's Dental Health Month and the 436th Dental Squadron is ready, with planned base-wide activities to celebrate the month and support Team Dover children's dental hygiene. Fun oral health presentations are scheduled at the Child Development Center, Welch Elementary and Dover Air Base Middle Schools, the Youth Center and Base Library. We'll be handing out a limited number of oral hygiene kits with children's toothbrushes, dental floss, two-minute timers and other fun goodies. Still, dental hygiene doesn't have to end when the calendar rolls into March. Help us promote your child's oral health all year round! If your child is at least two years old, brush their teeth twice per day with fluoridated toothpaste. Continue this practice until they turn eight. If your child's teeth contact or touch each other, floss your child's teeth once per day, preferably before bedtime. Studies have shown that children do not have the coordination to brush or floss properly until they are about eight-years old. Once your child can cooperate, brushing should last about two minutes. If your child is less than two, use children's toothpaste with low or no fluoride. Base housing and most surrounding communities do not have fluoridated water supplies. Fluoridated water supplies may decrease the risk of cavities in children. However, most physicians and dentists believe that children get enough fluoride by brushing twice per day with fluoridated toothpaste and by eating foods processed and made with fluoridated water. The current belief is that the risk of fluorosis (small pits, discoloration from too much fluoride) may not be worth the benefit of additional oral fluoride supplements, such as drops or tablets. If you believe your child would benefit from supplemental fluoride, you can purchase fluoridated bottled water. In addition, ask your child's physician for their recommendation. Once your child can spit when you ask them to, start using an over-the-counter fluoride mouthrinse. Your child should brush and floss first, then use the mouthrinse according to the manufacturer's directions. Your child should have their first dental visit around their first birthday or about six months after their first tooth erupts. Since Dover dental appointments are primarily for active duty military, your child will most likely see a civilian dentist. For that reason, you should enroll your child in the United Concordia family dental plan. Once again, let's promote children's dental health not only in the month of February, but all year round.