National children’s dental health month encourages happy smiles and strong teeth
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS(KBSI) – February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month, and experts say it’s the perfect reminder that healthy habits start early!
Shawnna Rhine is the Director of Public Relations for Rural Health Incorporation she shares that Rural Health Inc. uses this month to spread awareness on the importance of young dental health. Rhine shares that good dental hygiene can play a role in speech development, and more.
“Well, the most important thing about dental awareness month is to make sure that you are getting your child’s teeth checked on a regular basis and there are a lot of reasons for that. One is to make sure that you are preventing tooth decay. It also helps them with their speech development assistance with chewing, and also maintains space for, you know, those permanent teeth that are scheduled to come in. So, it’s a lot of different reasons, but you want to make sure you’re getting those checked” says Rhine.
Dentists recommend children start seeing a dentist at age 6 months to 1 year so they can discuss and manage habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, and baby bottle tooth decay. Rhine says the Rural Health Clinic starts seeing children at age 3.
“Yes. We have dental offices in our Anna and Gordonville clinics. They can contact us at (618) 833-4471 and they can also visit us online at rural health inc.. Org.”
