Children’s Dental Health Month is here once again! It happens every February and is dedicated to teaching children how to better care for their smiles so they can grow up to have healthy, happy beams and excellent oral health. If you’re a parent, you may be wondering how to celebrate this month. Keep reading for ideas on how to get your little one involved and excited about maintaining excellent oral health and hygiene.
Tip #1: Help Them Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Teaching your child about the importance of brushing and flossing from an early age is the best way to set them up for a successful smile in the future. Brushing twice per day, once before breakfast and once after dinner, is key to avoiding cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
Additionally, remind them to floss after dinner each night. This will get rid of plaque and food particles that have gotten stuck between their teeth throughout the day. Consider setting up an alert or alarm on your phone or placing a note on their bathroom mirror to help them remember this important oral hygiene step.
Tip #2: Buy Them New Dental Tools
Another great way to celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month is with new dental tools. There are all kinds of fun flavors of toothpaste and dental floss that will make brushing and flossing more fun for your child. Additionally, consider buying them a dental timer to help them brush for a full two minutes or a toothbrush that features their favorite characters or colors.
Tip #3: Have Them Drink Water
Water does a lot of good for our smiles. For one, it helps prevent dry mouth, which is associated with an increased risk of oral health problems like mouth sores, tooth decay, and gum disease. It also washes away food particles and bacteria. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free candy will also help improve saliva production to keep dry mouth at bay.
Tip #4: Encourage Healthy Eating Habits
The sugar in sweet foods and drinks feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. Starchy foods break down into sugar in the mouth, so they harm your child’s smile in the same way. Additionally, acidic foods and drinks weaken their enamel and make their teeth more susceptible to decay. Encourage your child to eat smile-healthy foods, such as:
- Crisp, fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, celery, pears, and carrots
- Dairy products, like low-fat or fat-free cheese, milk, and yogurt
- Leafy greens, such as spinach, collards, lettuce, and kale
- Nuts, like almonds, cashews, and Brazil nuts
- Fatty fish, such as mackerel and salmon
- Lean meats, like chicken and turkey
Tip #5: Take Your Child to See Their Dentist
Take your little one to the pediatric dentist twice per year for checkups and cleanings. These visits are key to preventing oral health problems. Their dentist will thoroughly examine their mouth and work with you to come up with a treatment plan for any issues they find. Your child’s smile will also be deep cleaned so they can leave their visit with a fresh beam.
About the Practice
The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry offers children of all ages the care they need for healthy, bright smiles. They administer preventive treatments like dental cleanings and checkups to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other smile issues. Ready to make an appointment with your little one for The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry or interested in learning more about their services? Call their office at (972) 364-7472 or visit their website to get started.