The February 2023 National Children’s Dental Health Month is brought to you by the ADA. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, and many others. Promise’s theme for this month will be “Combating Cavities”.
Promise will be participating in this month by uploading brushing and flossing tips you can share with your kiddos, and by providing a fun brushing calendar for the kids. This is a fun way to get children involved and on track with their teeth brushing day and night!
You can pick up a sheet when you come into Promise for your dental appointment or ask one of our front office workers for a sheet. The calendar features a daily teeth-brushing tracker. Please encourage your child to track how often they brush their teeth by coloring in the appropriate box. Once your kiddo finishes coloring in their calendar at the end of February, please bring it back into Promise for a fun prize!
Sipping, Snacking, and Tooth Decay/Cavities
Now more than ever, kids are faced with a bewildering array of food choices — from fresh produce to sugar-laden processed convenience meals and snack foods. What children eat and when they eat it may affect not only their general health but also their oral health.
Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before. It’s clear that junk foods and drinks gradually have replaced nutritious beverages and foods for many people. For example, in the U.S., on average, individuals consume approximately 50 gallons of sugary beverages per year! Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day.
How to reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay and cavities:
- Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
- Limit between-meal snacks. If kids crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.
- If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless
- Children should make healthy beverage choices such as water and low-fat milk.
- Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.
- Schedule regular dental visits.