Celebrate Smiles and Children’s Dental Health

February has been deemed National Children’s Dental Month by the American Dental Association.  It is a time to celebrate smiles and to promote good oral hygiene habits with our families.  As the dentist Cumberland families trust with their oral health, family dentistry needs, and smiles, we want to help you celebrate.   The month-long awareness event is the perfect time to practice healthy habits that will last all year long.

Start oral hygiene habits early

Preventative dentistry starts in the home and is a very important topic to discuss.  Brushing and flossing, along with regular dental exams with our Cumberland dentist, are the two best ways to prevent cavities and gingivitis.   Here are some fun tips to talk with your family about when it comes to oral hygiene:

• Two minutes of brushing, two times a day is recommended
• Floss at least one time each day
• George Washington’s teeth were not made out of wood
• Sharks have over 35 sets of teeth while humans have only 2 sets in their lifetime
• The modern toothbrush was invented in a prison
• We have 5,000-10,000 taste buds on our tongues

When to visit the dentist

To honor Children’s Dental Health Month, take a moment to schedule your dental appointments for you and your family if you haven’t already done so.  Bi-annual dental exams are necessary for healthy smiles and part of good oral hygiene habits.   Young children should be scheduled to visit our Cumberland dentist as they near, or shortly after, their first birthday.  Then, an appointment every 6 months will keep smiles in good health.

Snack Options for Healthy Smiles

Another way to create good oral hygiene habits is to choose healthy foods.  Snacks that are high in vitamins and minerals are good for strong bones and teeth, and for healthy gums, too.  Treats that have too much sugar lead to gum disease and tooth decay.  Talk with our Cumberland dentist team about foods that promote healthy smiles if you need a few tips.

For other oral health related tips, visit us on Facebook.  We love sharing healthy tips for healthy smiles and love seeing how good oral hygiene habits build amazing smiles.