(Indiana News Service) – The spotlight is on children’s teeth this month, and parents are being reminded of the importance of preventing tooth decay, because it can have long-term consequences for kids.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and pediatric dentist Dr. Mira Albert said one in three children in the U.S age 2-5 is affected by tooth decay. She said while parents take charge of their children’s health by choosing organic foods and being selective about the kinds of activities they participate in, often trips to the dentist are few and far between.

“Dental decay, especially in young children, can kind of go unnoticed and it can begin to cause a lot of pain and infection that can lead to lost school days and lost work days while you’re having these things treated,” Albert said. “And it can be quite painful and destructive.”

But tooth decay is preventable. According to Albert, parents should take their children to the dentist by age 1 to help them feel at ease when they do have to have dental work done.

And she said to avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle because it can lead to rampant cavities. She also recommends helping children break the habit of using a pacifier by age 3 because it can lead to an overbite or speech defect.

Another tip is to limit between-meal snacking. Albert said when kids do get hungry before lunch or dinner, give them low-sugar, low-carbohydrate snacks such as apple slices or carrots.

“This constant exposure to high-carb, high-sugary foods and beverages bathes the teeth in these acidic components and lowers the PH in the mouth, and that makes the teeth very susceptible to tooth decay,” she said.

Teething is a normal process every child goes through, and Albert recommends avoiding teething gels that contain medications. Instead, she said to use a cold washcloth, or gently massage the gums with your fingertips.

For more information on children’s oral health, visit AAP.org.

As part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Mahoney Family Dentistry will be providing free dental services to children 17 years of age and younger at their upcoming Give Kids a Smile event this Friday, Feb. 24. Similar to previous years, Mahoney Family Dentistry and its team of employees will offer children one free cleaning, extraction or filling. There will be representatives from Real Services providing information regarding their self-sufficiency programs. There will also be interpreters on-site to serve Spanish-speaking patients.

Mahoney Family Dentistry is located at 17901 Turners Dr. South Bend, IN 46635.