El Paso dentist offers tips for parents

EL PASO, TX (KVIA) — February marks National Children's Dental Health Month, and local health officials are stressing the importance of establishing healthy dental habits early. 

ABC-7 spoke to Kelley Brooks, chief dentist with the City of El Paso Department of Public Health, who emphasized parents play a crucial role in protecting their children from cavities and other oral health issues.  

“Children need structure,” Brooks said. "Make sure that your child is seen every six months for routine visit.”

Brooks says children should be brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing regularly and eating healthy.

“I know that it's very popular for us to add additional lemons, limes, tajin to our spicy chips,” she adds. “But that's just pure acid. Once, it mixes with your saliva, it creates an acidic paste and that acidic paste is called plaque. It sits on the tooth structure and it pulls the calcium out, that creates a weakened the calcification areas.”

Brooks says cavities remain one of the most common dental concerns among children. “So limit it to the serving size, too much is when your fingertips and your lips and your tongue start turning orange,” she emphasized. 

For families without dental insurance, Rawlings Dental Clinic offers comprehensive services. “We serve the uninsured and underinsured pediatric population,” said Brooks. “All children who cross our threshold will receive services regardless of their ability or inability to pay.” 

The City of El Paso has an affiliation with a title five state grant, that allows them to provide care to all kids.

Brooks encourages parents to schedule their child’s first dental visit by six months of age and continue checkups every six months. 

To learn more about eligibility or to schedule an appointment, visit EPHealth.com and click on the Dental tab, or call 915-212-8000.