February Is National
Children’s Health Month

Local Dentist Teaches Children about Good Dental Hygiene

Picture Caption:  Dr. Rotem visited the Grade K and First Grade class of Mrs. Susie Rindener, Monmouth Academy, Lanes Mill Road, Howell, to teach children about dental hygiene and proper brushing techniques.

February 1, marks the beginning of National Children’s Dental Health Month, a month set aside to highlight how important it is to talk to children about good dental hygiene. Tooth decay is practically 100% preventable with proper care. But without proper care, children have to face the trauma of getting fillings, and parents wind up spending money they didn’t have to spend. Dr. Ronen Rotem, a Toms River dentist whose practice focuses on general and cosmetic dentistry for adults, is nevertheless concerned about children’s dental health. He says, “Parents should begin helping their children brush their teeth as early as possible. It is more important to brush twice daily than it is to do a great job brushing. Eventually, brushing will become a habit. My own four-year-old son was finally willing to brush twice a day when he got a Batman toothbrush and Hulk toothpaste.” It is a good idea to take children to the dentist between the ages of 2 to 3, and especially before they have a problem. “Let your children get used to sitting in a dental chair, even if it is on your lap,” says Dr. Rotem. Today parents can find child friendly products to help them. “The taste of toothpaste is no longer offensive,” says Dr. Rotem. “The characters on the brushes and toothpaste tubes often make kids want to brush their teeth.” The Surgeon General reports that dental decay is the second most common chronic disease in childhood. “It is second only to the common cold. . . . Brushing your child’s teeth only takes about three minutes a day. The rewards last a lifetime and prevention starts with education.” What should parents emphasize? Brushing and flossing teeth twice a day, rinsing after eating, and eating healthy food.