Want More Cause for Celebration? Take a Cue from Your Children’s Dentist

February is a great time to let your family members know just how much you love them. But did you know it’s also a great chance to let them know how much you care about their oral health? That’s because February is more than just the month of Valentine’s Day. It’s also National Children’s Dental Health Month, an initiative to help increase awareness of dental decay and other common oral health issues facing kids of all ages. Your children’s dentist can definitely help you care for your kids’ smiles. But you can also help by educating them about the importance of dental hygiene combined with regular professional care.

What Can You Do at Home?

There are lots of ways you can help your kids keep their smiles healthy, but it all begins with being properly educated about oral health.

For instance, you probably already know that dental hygiene involves daily brushing and flossing. But dietary choices also have a huge impact on your kids’ oral health. Are they getting nutrients from fruits and vegetables? Do they drink enough water to stay hydrated and to keep their teeth cleaner between brushings?

When it comes to their dental care routine, have they learned proper flossing technique? Do you supervise them to ensure tooth brushing is safe and adequate? When should you start brushing your baby’s teeth?

The American Dental Association has provided great information specifically for parents on their website. But there are also printable pamphlets available from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, that you can review directly with your kids, helping them learn from an early age how to best care for their smiles.

Keep in mind that most kids need to visit the dentist at least twice a year to keep their smiles healthy, and some need more frequent visits. During your next trip to the children’s dentist be sure to ask any questions you might have about how to properly care for your kids’ precious smiles at home, and also what can be done to better protect them from dental decay and other problems.