To many, the month of February is all about romance, flowers, and chocolate. However, for your children’s dentist in Center, TX, February is something else entirely. It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! The American Dental Association (ADA) created this observance to raise awareness about oral hygiene in the youngest portion of the population. By implementing the following tips into your child’s life, you can set them up for a lifetime of healthy dental habits that will ensure their precious smile stays bright and healthy for years to come.
Book an Appointment
Scheduling a checkup and cleaning with your child’s dentist is one of the best ways to start February off on the right foot. Your son or daughter should attend regular cleanings every six months to keep their pearly whites clean and cavity-free. The more often your child sees their dentist in Center, TX, the more comfortable they’ll be seeking dental care as an adult. Additionally, if you schedule your appointment for February, they’ll be due for another one right before school starts back up in August.
Buy Them a New Toothbrush
The ADA highly recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles appear frayed and worn. Use National Children’s Dental Health Month as a perfect opportunity to get your child a brand-new brush. Take them to the store and let them pick out a brush with their favorite cartoon character on it. Also, let them select their favorite flavor of toothpaste. They’ll be more likely to enjoy brushing when they had some input in the buying process.
Create a Chart
Print out a daily chart or use a calendar to keep track of how often your child brushes and flosses. When a week or month passes of them partaking in their oral hygiene habits every day, treat them to a reward of their choosing – as long as it doesn’t involve sugary candy!
Evaluate Their Brushing
If your child brushes their teeth unsupervised, use this month as a chance to do a brushing checkup on them. You may find that they skip out on flossing altogether or they use too much toothpaste. This way, you can see what brushing mistakes your little one is making and set them on the right track.
National Children’s Dental Health Month might be even more important than Valentine’s Day this February. By taking the time to learn about oral hygiene together, you can help your child look forward to brushing and flossing every day.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Youngblood received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School in 2002. He is an Affiliate Member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and has a passion for helping kids get excited about dental care. To learn more, visit his website.