February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! We use this special month-long holiday to reach out to schools, daycares, churches and parents to help educate children about the importance of good oral health. We teach kids about healthy foods and drinks, how to brush, and when to visit the dentist with our interactive puppet show. This basic dental health information is so important to children and their families because teeth help us everyday and can impact our overall health.
But why are teeth so important?
Take a moment and think about ALL the things our teeth help with each day. They help us eat, speak, and share a smile.
- Teeth help us chew our food. They tear, cut, and grind food making it easier to digest.
- Teeth help us with speech by controlling airflow out of the mouth. The tongue strikes the teeth or the roof of the mouth as some sounds are made. Has your child lost a front tooth yet? If yes, did their words sound different while they were missing their tooth?
- Teeth show when you’re happy. A nice, clean, pretty smile not only makes you feel good, it makes others around you smile too!
What are the dental care basics I need to know for my child?
The number 2 comes to mind – brush 2 times a day, for 2 minutes and schedule 2 dental check-ups each year!
- Children should brush in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed. At Kids Teeth we recommend parents helping children (ages 8 and under) brush at night to make sure no areas were missed.
- Two minutes may seem like a long time but our teeth have several surfaces – top, bottom, chewing surfaces, in-between, and along the gum line – so it takes awhile to cover them all. Make it fun by singing a song, getting a timer, or using a toothbrush app. We know that little ones won’t let you brush for this long but try to work towards a full two minutes as they get older.
- Children ages 12 months and older should visit their pediatric dentist once every six months – twice a year. Creating this routine early gets them comfortable in the dental office environment, with the dentist and their staff.
- Don’t forget about flossing! You should start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they start to touch. Germs hide in-between your teeth and we usually can’t see them or feel them.
How can I share these tips with my kids?
If we recently visited their school or daycare during National Children’s Dental Health Month, ask them what they learned during our visit. We also have a great video library on our website that helps show kids and parents how to brush their children’s teeth by age.
More questions?
Give our office a call (843) 216-5879 or request an appointment online.