It’s February
What Is It?
Children’s Dental Health Month is celebrated every February. The American Dental Association, along with the ADA Foundation sponsors this cause. It’s a month-long national health project dedicated to bringing thousands of dental professionals, healthcare providers, and educators together. Their goal is to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others.
This Year’s Message
Throughout the month, the ADA will be encouraging parents and kids to choose tap water if they can, in order to avoid sugary drinks like sodas, and fruit drinks. They recommend tap water because it provides fluoride, which works as nature’s toothbrush.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to prevent cavities, by making the enamel on your teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay.
The other important aspects of oral health you need to teach your children are good brushing, flossing and eating habits. Through education, you’ll be teaching your kiddos how to maintain a lifetime of good oral health habits.
Why Do We Have It?
Tooth decay is a huge problem, even in children. In fact, about 40% of kids will have a cavity before they reach kindergarten! With these shocking statistics, it’s no wonder we need an entire month dedicated to educating the public about the importance of children’s dental health.
What Can You Do?
If you want to help spread the word, you need to get involved. If you have kids, make sure you educate them on the importance of proper oral health care. Show them the correct way to brush and floss their teeth, and make sure they’re doing it twice a day, for a minimum of two minutes.
In addition, your children don’t develop the proper motor skills for adequate brushing until around the age of eight. Therefore, it’s important to either do it for them or supervise them when they brush. If not, you run the risk of having them develop cavities and tooth decay.
Finally, you can follow the campaign on the American Dental Association’s Twitter and Facebook feeds. They have some great activities for your children that are fun, along with educational.
Make An Appointment
If it’s been over six months since your child has come to see us, or they haven’t been in at all, make your appointment with us as soon as possible. Kids should see a dentist by their first birthday, and continue to come in every six months for the rest of their lives.
We invite you to help spread the message. Together, we can help keep smiles sparkling.
Ever since he was little Dr. J. Fred Arnold wanted to be a dentist. He has lived in Kentucky all of his life, except for three years he spent serving in the Air Force (1984-1987). He and his wife Holly have raised their family here and couldn’t imagine spending life anywhere else. They love the great schools and the emphasis on arts and culture.
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