Free Oral-Health and Breastfeeding Workshop Today

National Breastfeeding Month is coming to Lakewood.

Through a grant from the City of Lakewood, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is offering a free Oral Health and Breastfeeding workshop for pregnant women and families with children under age six. The first class is today from 2-4 p.m. at the Franciscan Lakewood WIC Office, 11216 Bridgeport Way S.W.

A second class is scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Gary and Carol Milgard HOPE Center, 10402 Kline Street S.W. Free childcare is available, and refreshments will be served.

“It’s a free event for parents either expecting or new parents with kids up to age six,” said Bridget Vandeventer, communications director for the health department. “You’re not that new if you have a 6-year-old, but it’s still important information about oral health and the things you can do to help your children.”

Vandeventer said that such information–and the opportunity to make connections–is key for pregnant women.

“Some of them may not even have the baby in their arms yet, but having that information in their mind when that first tooth erupts, they may remember that they can make an appointment or what they learned,” she said. “It’s important to have that in your mind or line of sight so you know where to turn to when you go down that road.”

Pediatric dentists believe that breastfeeding is one of the healthiest options for infants – it is said to be less sugary than formula – and helps their teeth become more resistant to tooth decay.

“It is really important for children’s oral health,” Vandeventer said. “And it’s a good reminder that it’s a really healthy option and a good start for their baby.”

Vandeventer said that taking care of children’s teeth in the first year is crucial because their mouths are forming.

“To have healthy teeth is important not just for the first year, but the rest of their life,” she said. “I think people don’t always think about teeth in the first year.

“But preventing the problem is way easier and less painful for your child than dealing with it once it has happened.”

It is not uncommon for young children to have dental issues that can land them in the nurse’s office at school suffering from cavities or rotting teeth. Such problems can lead to bacterial infections that can compromise a child’s health.

“It’s affecting their whole body’s health, not just their teeth,” Vandeventer said.

The workshop is hosted in conjunction with the health department’s Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program, which encourages families to seek early dental care for their children beginning at age one.

Vandeventer said they can help connect people with resources for oral-health care that they may not know are available.

“It’s a really great event for people who don’t have dental insurance or regular dental care for their children,” she said.

Registration for the classes is required, and can be completed online. Space is limited, and if today’s class is full, the same subject matter will be taught at the Aug. 26 class.

“We’re only doing it at these two locations in Lakewood,” Vandeventer said, “so it’s a great resource since it’s happening in their neighborhood.”