PDA Encourages Back-to-School Dental Check-Ups

PDA Encourages Back-to-School Dental Check-Ups


As children head back to school, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA)
encourages parents to make dental check-ups part of the back-to-school
routine.

Remember, it's just as important to examine the mouth as the rest of
the body. Tooth decay is a bacterial disease; it remains the most common,
chronic disease of children.

The statistics speak for themselves. More than half of all 5-9-year-old
children have at least one cavity. Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth
combine with sugary substances from foods and drinks. The bacteria then
produce acid that wears through the enamel and causes cavities. Dental
decay is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common
than hay fever.

While tooth decay and other dental problems can cause pain and
infection, they can also result in concentration problems in school, school
absences and problems eating and speaking. In fact, more than 51 million
school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness. By making a
dental check-up part of your child's back-to-school routine you are helping
prevent tooth decay and other dental problems from occurring. Regular
visits to the dentist can also help detect dental problems in their early
stages.

PDA encourages parents to help promote good oral health by making sure
all children get regular dental check-ups every six months, brush twice a
day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day to help remove plaque stuck
between the teeth, eat a well-balanced diet and ensure that all health
examinations and necessary immunizations are completed in time for the new
school year.