February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

CNJ staff photo: Benna Sayyed

Brittany Kanmore, 14, left, has a dental consultation with orthodontist David Clayden Friday at Familia Dental. Kanmore said she visited the orthodontist to find out if she needs braces.

Throughout the month dental offices around town are offering extra services to children to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

According to Natalie Aragon, community relations coordinator for Familia Dental, her office is sending out mobile units to do teeth cleaning, dental screenings and dental exams and presentations at various organizations, daycares and schools.

Aragon said each mobile unit will have one dentist and one or two dental assistants.

"I think this month is very important because it helps parents and kids understand how important dental health is," Aragon said. "We want to get children to develop healthy eating habits and keeping a healthy mouth at a very young age. That's when the screenings and the mobile units come into play. We want to reach kids before they have cavities and help them on a road to a healthy smile."

Glen W. Hisel dentistry dental hygienists will do presentations at Clovis schools in the last two weeks of the month, according to Janae Thorn, office manager at Glen W. Hisel dentistry. During presentations, students will be shown videos on toothbrushing, flossing and integrating good nutrition into oral health.

The presentations will also include posterboards showing proper angles to brush the teeth.

Powell Family Dentistry staff will give out goodie bags including toothpaste, flossers and coloring books to children and teens. Parents can pick up goodie bags 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.

Tips from local dentistries for promoting good dental health in children:

• Visit the dentist every six months.

• Brush teeth twice a day.

• Try to choose foods low in sugar.

• Do not let food and drinks with sugar sit on your teeth for a long time.

• The American Dental Association website has free online resources that can help parents, children and educators.