Just because baby teeth aren’t permanent doesn’t mean they can be neglected, which is the focus for National Children’s Dental Health Month. For around 50 years, February has been observed as Children’s Dental Health Month, and dentists use it to inform parents about the importance of taking care of their childrens’ teeth. Dr. Ann Harris of Harris and Harris Dental in Washington says baby teeth provide important functions for overall health. She explains, “Baby teeth, if they start to fall out, if they have a lot of disease, or they have to be extracted, then that affects the permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important with diet. Whether it’s baby teeth or permanent teeth, if your mouth hurts, people do not eat very well.” Additionally, she says loss of baby teeth too early can affect a child’s speech development.

According to Harris, as of five years ago, children in the state of Iowa are required to have a dental screening before entering kindergarten. The screening can be done by a dentist, dental hygienist, or school nurse. She adds, a recent requirement is children entering 9th grade need to get a dental exam. Parents typically start taking their children to the dentist around age six, but Harris says nowadays it’s not a bad idea to visit a dentist for a visual exam by age three. Above all, she says preventative care, including brushing every day, is the best way to keep a child’s teeth healthy. To learn more about National Children’s Dental Health Month, listen to the two-part In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Harris at KCIIRadio.com.