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February is Children’s Dental Health Month! Maybe not the most exciting-sounding holiday or period of awareness, but definitely one of the most important. The dental health patterns children follow while young can dictate how they treat their teeth for the rest of their lives. If they have cavities, they might become scared of the drill and the dentist’s office, and that may keep them from scheduling regular exams once their care is in their own hands.
By helping your kids understand the steps toward healthy teeth while they’re young, you might aid them for life. Here are a few ways to make this month especially tooth-healthy.
Boosting Your Kids’ Oral Health this February
- Try limiting added sugar – At your next grocery trip, try swapping out the usual sweetened snacks or treats for fresh fruit or other healthier alternatives.
- Check in on your kids’ dental products – If they don’t like their toothbrush, floss, or toothpaste, they’ll be less likely to use them. Take them to the drugstore and give them a chance to choose their own dental products – chances are, it’s time to replace their toothbrushes anyway (every 3-4 months).
- Brush and floss together – When you brush alongside your kids, you have an opportunity to make sure they’re cleaning their teeth properly, and for long enough. Plus, it will help motivate your kids when they see that you value your own brushing. Try finding a 2-minute long song to play so that you all brush for the recommended amount of time.
- Talk about consequences of their habits – If your child is obsessed with candy, try discussing why all that extra sugar leads to cavities (which lead to fillings, which lead to shots, which lead to stress). Try doing simple experiments that illustrate how sugar and acids erode enamel.
- Set up your family’s next dental exams – No matter how long it is until your next exams, it doesn’t hurt to get them on the schedule. We’ll remind you when the date rolls around!
