February is National Children’s Dental Health Awareness month. Your children will probably have a dentist visit at school or talk about proper brushing and flossing technique sometime during the month.
The American Dental Association is running a campaign called “Defeat Monster Mouth”. The creative poster is illustrating fighting to defeat Plaqster the Monster for good oral health. The most effective ways to defeat monster mouth and maintain good oral health are brushing, flossing, rinsing, and eating healthy snacks. Click this link for more information.
In order to reinforce this month’s theme, check out this fun snack which can be doubled as an activity if you allow your children to help you make it. Click picture for recipe.
The recipe is simple. Red apple slices, peanut butter or any nut butter and small marshmallows. If you wash and pre-slice the apples and have the rest of the ingredients out and available, you could help your child to assemble the snack. While you are assembling this snack, it might be an ideal opportunity for you to talk to your child about good dental hygiene and how important it is to you. As always, your children learn from example and seeing their parents and siblings practicing good oral hygiene habits can be very beneficial.
Crest has a website that has detailed oral hygiene information for parents based on their child’s age. There are many new products on the market for children to use that make it fun to brush and floss. The website mentions Fluoride and it’s risk if swallowed. If a child is not able to spit out toothpaste, even if they do not follow the suggested age guidelines, a non-fluoride toothpaste should be used. Here is an in-depth look at what the CDC says about “Fluorosis”.
Teeth are important! There are many things we can do to keep our teeth in good condition.
