It’s simple to show kids that a healthy smile is an important component of overall health. (c) Oksana Kuzmina – Fotolia.com
(StatePoint) Oral care and cavity prevention are crucial for overall health, and getting kids to put that knowledge into practice is a must. With National Children’s Dental Health Month occurring this February, it’s a great time to motivate kids to take better care of their smiles with these top teeth tips:
Good Practices
The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day. If you aren’t able to brush between meals, swishing water is a great way to help reduce bacteria that can build up.
When choosing toothpaste, look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance to indicate it has been rigorously tested for cavity protection.
Take a minute to check what’s inside your toothpaste. Many contain ingredients like artificial sweeteners, dyes or preservatives on the label. If you prefer a more natural option, Tom’s of Maine makes the top-selling natural kids toothpaste without any artificial ingredients and no animal testing.
Encourage kids to make healthy nutritional choices that promote good dental health, including calcium-rich foods like yogurt, cheese, almonds, oatmeal, and oranges. While skipping all sweets may not be realistic, encourage kids to limit sugary beverages and candy, and to brush after treats.
Get Creative, Give Back
A new free downloadable coloring book called “Brushing Fun,” is now available to help introduce kids to healthy habits. Each free download will trigger a donation of 10 tubes of Tom’s of Maine Wicked Cool! natural toothpaste to Oral Health America (OHA), a non-profit dedicated to increasing access to oral health care, education and advocacy for all Americans.
“Brushing can be fun and it’s never too early to talk with your kids about their oral health, or too late to try to help shape healthy habits,” says Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine.
The coloring book, which can be personalized with a child’s name, offers games, puzzles, tips and facts about oral care, as well as a story that encourages kids to appreciate nature. To show off your family’s creativity, share a page from the coloring book using the hashtag #NaturalSmiles on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for a chance to win a natural oral care gift pack and Utretch Art Store gift card. The free coloring book is available for download at www.TomsofMaine.com.
Go Natural
While you’re caring for your teeth, don’t forget to also take care of the earth. According to the EPA, by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to eight gallons of water! Parents and kids can also visit www.terracycle to learn how to recycle or upcycle toothpaste tubes.
It’s simple to show kids that a healthy smile is an important component of overall health. These smart oral health habits can last a lifetime.
Thanks for the refresher. I have seen many issues of children having cavities, they complained that their teeth hurts, it needed to be pulled as the tooth got infected. The number of kids in pre -schools who are suffering from tooth decay is rising because children now have much more sugar in their diets at an early age. Parents should take note that their child is at risk of dental caries long before she’s tasted her first piece of candy. Regular check up at a pediatric dentist is important and let them practice at an early age good dental hygiene habits because it can lead to a lifetime oral health.
Very good points! Especially the idea that consuming lots of sugar at early age will damage the teeth and cause life-long dental problems.
Teeth are very important for everyone and especially we’ve to take care of our kids teeth. I like your blog very much because you shared great tips which are useful to me to help my kids form healthy dental habit. I’d like to say thanks for sharing these wonderful tips through your blog.
Good Awareness Post! Every parents helps to your kids for follow this hygiene dental habits. Thanks for sharing your good thoughts!
Great tips! I will definitely look into Tom’s toothpaste because we have patients asking for a natural alternative. Thanks for sharing.
Teaching kids to stay away from sugar not only helps their dental hygiene but their overall health. Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Good healthy habits are the biggest gifts we can give to our kids! Good oral habits are important, as they are going to remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Very well written blog. These tips will surely help many parents and kids as well..
Kids just love candy too much! Haha. My dentist in Pasadena, Tx, Town Square Dental, does a good job of educating my kids in a way that they can understand, so I’m happy about that.
LOL Yes, they do! It’s great to have a good pediatric dentist. We’ve been blessed with some good ones as well. Thanks for stopping by!