Yes, Oral pH Matters
Having healthy dental habits is imperative not only for your oral health but also your overall health. That’s why it’s vital that children learn the importance of oral hygiene — but your children will need your help! In honor of February being Children’s Dental Health Month, here are three ways to encourage and teach your child the importance of oral hygiene. 3 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY ORAL HABITS BRUSH YOUR CHILDREN’S TEETH. Until a child is 8 or 9 years old, they don’t have the motor skills or muscle strength to brush their own teeth. Unfortunately, to the detriment of children’s lifelong oral health, this fact isn’t common knowledge. Children’s little hands sometimes have difficulty maneuvering a toothbrush in their mouth, making it difficult to reach some of the spaces between their teeth. Therefore, it’s best to brush their teeth for them until they can do so. By doing this, you can help them get into the routine of brushing their teeth twice a day and learn why it’s important. DOWNLOAD FUN AND EDUCATIONAL DENTAL APPS. Dr. Brooks uses the app Toothsavers Brushing Game with his children, and it’s a great way for your children to learn how to brush their teeth. While this app may be educational, it’s also a fun and interactive game your child will love. Your child will have a character on their screen, and they have to brush the character’s teeth. As they play, they will see germ particles on the character’s teeth, which will help them understand the importance of brushing. The app also has a timer that your child can use while brushing their own teeth and track how many days in a row they’ve brushed their teeth. Then, after a certain number of days, they can unlock a new character and brush their teeth. GIVE YOUR CHILD OPTIONS AND REWARDS. Allow your child to pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste when you’re at the supermarket. They may feel more excited about brushing their teeth because they can pick out what they want to use. You can also provide rewards after they brush their teeth each day to encourage them to continue the habit. We suggest rewards like stickers, story time, choosing what’s for lunch, etc. over treats or juice, of course. IT’S CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH!
Try Out These Activities Spending Valentine’s Day With the Family? Valentine’s Day demands most of the attention in February. This holiday is designated for couples to share their love and do things they greatly enjoy together. While this usually consists of dinner dates, a movie, and possibly even some dancing, some parents have a difficult time getting away. Maybe they can’t find a babysitter, or one of the kids is ill, causing them to cancel plans. You might think there’s no point in celebrating the holiday if you can’t do so with just your significant other, but you can turn Valentine’s Day into a family-friendly event. Here are a few activities to try if you’re spending Valentine’s with the kids this February. WRITE LOVE NOTES TO EACH OTHER. Valentine’s Day is all about love, so what better way to celebrate it than by sharing your love with those closest to you? Take a moment and have every member of your family write love notes to each other. Encourage your kids to share their happy memories and explain why they love each person. This can be a fun and educational activity for your kids as you can help them with their spelling and grammar. HAVE A FANCY DINNER. You don’t need to go out to have an extravagant Valentine’s dinner. You can make one at home by incorporating the same ingredients as the dishes you would get at a restaurant. Or you can order from your favorite restaurant and pick it up. Use a fancy tablecloth, light some candles, and have fun with it. Don’t forget to include a special dessert; you can even make mocktails to amp up the fun. FINISH THE NIGHT WITH A MOVIE. Valentine’s Day is often one of the busiest nights of the year for movie theaters, but you don’t have to go out to enjoy a movie during the holiday. Head to your favorite streaming service and find some family- friendly romantic comedies to watch together. “The Princess Diaries,” “Lady and the Tramp,” and “Gnomeo and Juliet” are all great options.
When encouraging and teaching your kids about oral health, it’s best to make it a fun learning experience for them — especially when visiting the dentist. So, bring your children to our office for dental exams! We provide fun and comfortable services and accommodations to ensure your child has a great experience visiting the dentist.
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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