When dental hygienist Pamela Poon screens the mouths of tots, itB次元官网网址檚 not uncommon for her to see children with a cavity who havenB次元官网网址檛 reached their first birthday.

B次元官网网址淐avities are totally preventable,B次元官网网址� Poon said. B次元官网网址淜ids donB次元官网网址檛 ever need to have a cavity.B次元官网网址�

In her effort to help protect children from tooth decay, Poon works as a community dental hygienist for the Vancouver Island Health AuthorityB次元官网网址檚 "Smiles First" program.

On the third Wednesday of each month (see below for the day in other municipalities) Poon travels to the West Shore Health Unit to check out childrenB次元官网网址檚 teeth. The four-year program is free and offered to children who havenB次元官网网址檛 yet entered kindergarten.

Poon gives the children a dental screening and talks to children and their parents about oral care. If needed she can apply fluoride varnish if she deems the child high risk for tooth decay. She will also refer the children to see a dentist if she see signs of tooth decay or possible cavities.

If a cavity is detected in a child's mouth, itB次元官网网址檚 not uncommon for the child to have to go under general anesthesia to have it fixed.

B次元官网网址淚f itB次元官网网址檚 a small cavity they might fix it (in a dental office) but a lot of kids arenB次元官网网址檛 keen on that,B次元官网网址� Poon said. B次元官网网址淚f they have to pull out a bunch of teeth, they might put them under.B次元官网网址�

If a child requires several teeth to be pulled, Poon said it is often because the teeth have decayed too far to do anything else.

B次元官网网址淒ental surgery is the No. 1 day surgery for kids in B.C. under five,B次元官网网址� Poon said, adding that there is a three- to six-month wait list. B次元官网网址淭here are so many kids with (tooth decay) and itB次元官网网址檚 sad.B次元官网网址�

It takes about a year and a half after each tooth arrives for it to fully harden, which leaves young teeth more vulnerable to decay. The first sign of potential decay is a bright white spot on a tooth. B次元官网网址淭he white spot legion is where the tooth has been weakened a bit,B次元官网网址� Poon said. B次元官网网址淒ecay can happen pretty quick.B次元官网网址�

It can take as little as two months from the sign of a white legion until the tooth becomes brown with decay. If caught early a white spot can be reversed with diet and the use of a fluoride varnish.

Poon suggests limiting the amount of sweet and sticky foods in a childB次元官网网址檚 diet. If a child is going to eat items such as raisins, granola bars or fruit leather, itB次元官网网址檚 better to do at the end of a meal rather than as a snack.

B次元官网网址淎t the end of a meal there is more saliva in the mouth,B次元官网网址� Poon said, which helps keep food from sticking to the teeth.

Some children get cavities before they even start on solid foods. Poon said babies who fall asleep breast-feeding or with a bottle can have the milk pool around their teeth which leads to decay.

ItB次元官网网址檚 common for parents to tell Poon that baby teeth donB次元官网网址檛 matter and will eventually fall out, but she counters that with the importance of baby teeth when it comes to eating, speech and self-esteem.

B次元官网网址淭here are kids going to school missing six or seven teeth because they were pulled out due to decay,B次元官网网址� Poon said.

Poon suggests all babies and children brush their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Children should start having dental screenings or checkup about six months after the first tooth comes in.

B次元官网网址淣ot everyone has access to, or thinks about oral care, but itB次元官网网址檚 completely linked to your overall health,B次元官网网址� Poon said.

While taking care of childrenB次元官网网址檚 teeth is important, Poon said itB次元官网网址檚 important for parents to get regular dental care as well.

B次元官网网址淧arents can pass on pass the (cavity causing) bacteria onto their children, even by kissing them,B次元官网网址� Poon said. B次元官网网址淵es your kids are important, but so are you.B次元官网网址�

The next Smile First program is available at the West Shore Health Unit on Sept. 21. To book an appointment call 250-519-3490. To speak to a VIHA dental hygienist call 250-519-5100.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

The Smiles First Program is offered the third week each month across Greater Victoria.

Monday

Esquimalt Health Unit, 530 Fraser St.

To book an appointment call 250-519-5311.

Tuesday

Saanich Health Unit, 3995 Quadra St., second floor

To book an appointment call 250-519-5100.

Wednesday

West Shore Health Unit, 345 Wale Rd.

To book an appointment call 250-519-3490.

Thursday

Peninsula Health Unit, 102-2170 Mt. Newton X Rd.

To book an appointment call 250-544-2400.

Friday

Victoria Health Unit

1947 Cook St.

To book an appointment call 250-388-2200.