(Bloomfield, CT, Wednesday, February 6, 2019) – While tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the U.S., it is also largely preventable, according to the oral health section of the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a timely reminder to not only make sure your children have dental appointments scheduled approximately every six months, but that you do as well.

Doctor Michael Hahn, a licensed dentist and Cigna’s national dental director, encourages the use of regular dental checkups for everyone since one of the best things a parent or guardian can do to help instill good dental health habits in children is to model good habits themselves.

SOUNDBITE #1:

REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS CAN HAVE BIG REWARDS – SUCH AS A HEALTHY SMILE THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME – BUT THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ADULTS WHO SIMPLY PUT THEM OFF.  HOWEVER, THE LONGER THE WAIT BETWEEN DENTAL VISITS, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT AN ORAL HEALTH PROBLEM WILL DEVELOP AND BECOME MORE COMPLICATED AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO TREAT. IT’S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. OTHERWISE, AS CHILDREN BECOME ADULTS THEY TOO MIGHT BEGIN SKIPPING DENTAL EXAMS.

SOUNDBITE #2:

IT’S EASIER TO TEACH A YOUNGER CHILD GOOD HABITS, THAN TO BREAK AN OLDER CHILD OF POOR ONES. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR TEETH BY SHOWING THEM HOW WELL YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN.  IT’S EASY TO DO — LIMIT SUGARY SNACKS, BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY, FLOSS DAILY AND SEE THE DENTIST AS OFTEN AS RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION – TYPICALLY EVERY SIX MONTHS.

You can find more oral health information at Cigna.com/dental.