Keep the kids smiling – dental health tips

Each February, the American Dental Association, dental offices, and schools across the country focus on highlighting the importance of dental health for children. Dental health is too often an afterthought. Children’s tooth decay is the most common illness in children. As important as eating a nutritious meal, the maintaining of dental health can not only prevent tooth decay but can also help maintain the health of your entire body. Tooth decay can lead to infections, sometimes serious infections, so it’s important to care for and monitor our children’s teeth and gums.  

We’re sharing a few tips, and resourceful links, to help your child keep their teeth in tip-top shape.  

Reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay by:  

• Consuming any sugary foods and drinks with meals. The saliva production that increases while eating helps to neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.  

• Limiting between-meal snacks. When choosing a snack, go for something nutrient-dense.  

• Offering your child healthy beverage choices like water or a little bit of milk.  

• Teach your children good brushing and flossing habits. Keep a laminated brushing calendar in your bathroom to help keep track of daily brushing. 

• Keeping healthy teeth with the 2-2-2 Rule. Help keep your child’s teeth healthy by using the 2-2-2 rule: visit your dentist two times a year, and brush and floss TWO times a day for TWO whole minutes! 

• Scheduling regular dental visits.  

Find more information on children’s dental health via the following links: 

Resources for Parents 

CDC Children’s Dental Health Basics 

Is my kid a good candidate for braces? 

Fascinating Kids Dental Health Facts