Just Say "No" To the Flu!
/
The flu often comes on quickly and can cause mild to severe illness.
Read More
Immunizations Are Important!
/The best protection against diseases starts early. Your child can catch bugs that can cause diseases even if you breastfeed. That's why immunizations are a good idea. Immunizations are available from your doctor, clinic, neighborhood health center, and local health department.
Ouch!
IT can be hard to take your child for a shot and listen to her cry. Here are some tips to make things go a bit smoother.
- Try to stay calm.
- Hold your child on your lap and gently tell her that you love her.
- Bring in her favorite comfort item.
- Before the shot, distract her with a book, a song, or feeding.
- Tell her it may only hurt for a little while.
- Plan something fun afterward.
New vaccines may be developed and recommended in the future. An updated immunization schedule can be found on the CDC Web site.
February Is National Children’s Dental Health Month!
/Did You Know?
Baby teeth play an crucial role in helping your child eat well and grow strong. They also help them learn to speak clearly. Your child's baby teeth will be with them for 6-12 years, therefore, taking good care of them is important.
"When Should My Child First See a Dentist?"
First tooth, first birthday! Your child should see a dentist when he or she gets their first tooth or by their first birthday.
Tips For a Healthy Smile
- Good nutrition - choose "tooth-healthy" snacks (such as cheese, fruits and vegetables) and avoid sticky, sugary snacks or sipping on sweet liquids throughout the day.
- Good dental practices - this includes daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist.
- Fluoride - if your child doesn't get enough fluoride, they are at an increased risk for tooth decay. Make brushing with fluoride toothpaste part of your child's daily routine. Also, talk to their dentist or doctor about whether they should be taking a fluoride supplement.
Implementing good oral health routines with your children early on will help them learn how to care for their teeth and it will help them to maintain a healthy smile as they grow and develop!
For more information related to children's oral health:
http://www.healthygh.org/directory/abcdprogram
http://www2.aap.org/commpeds/dochs/oralhealth/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/children_adults/child.htm
Keeping Baby Teeth Healthy
/Most children have all their baby teeth — 20 in all — around the age of 3 and begin to lose them around age 6. Children will typically lose their last baby teeth at about age 12. As the baby teeth go, permanent teeth begin to come in. Healthy baby teeth help guide permanent teeth into place.
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be scheduled by the first tooth or the first birthday. Access to Baby and Child Dentistry’s (ABCD) Toolkit suggests, an infant’s developing teeth are affected by many things including: feeding habits, pacifiers, gum cleansing, and fluoride.
For more information about the ABCD program and how to access dental care for your child click HERE to talk to a Grays Harbor County Public Health ABCD Specialist.
